Grove Ferry River Trips
Grove Ferry River Trips
Grove Ferry River Trips
5
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About
For river trips on the River Stour in Kent come and see the "Ellen Mary" a quiet eco friendly electric powered boat taking up to 12 passengers through scenic areas of outstanding beauty, getting close to local wildlife and birds.Why not enjoy a relaxing 1 hour river trip or book for a private “voyage” and then follow with the wonderful hospitality of The Grove Ferry Inn at our moorings. We are open Between March and Nov, please see website for details.
Upstreet, Kent, England
Awards
Travellers' Choice
2023
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Grove Ferry River Trips
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(16 reviews)
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5.0
139 reviews
Excellent
122
Very good
10
Average
3
Poor
0
Terrible
4
Matt L
2 contributions
Oct 2023 • Family
We had a delightful and peaceful trip along the river to celebrate my dad’s eightieth birthday. Our skipper was very obliging, giving a great commentary and taking lovely group photos to mark the occasion. The wildlife and signs of beavers were definite highlights. Definitely tempted to return for the beaver-spotting twilight tour!
Written 23 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Louise E
3 contributions
Oct 2023 • Family
Amazing trip highly recommend, will be returning many more times- we took my parents for a day out and they loved it too! They want another trip soon, thank you
Written 15 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KenD
3 contributions
Oct 2023 • Family
A great sunset trip. Saw lots of wildlife and one beaver...fab. Friendly crew, peaceful and idyllic.
Written 11 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Philip M
1 contribution
Sep 2023 • Family
What a fantastic evening on the river. Knowledgeable skipper alongwith an excellent ecologist took us up the river where we saw all sorts of wildlife and then on the way back as it got dark; beavers.
Will definitely go again.
Will definitely go again.
Written 29 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brianofstleonards
Hastings, UK8 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
How nice to spend an hour away from the hustle and bustle of most tourist places. The riverside scenery is more tranquil than spectacular. We will be repeating the experience again in the future and can highly recommend it for anyone who enjoys what nature has to offer.
Written 16 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rachel H
Faversham, UK21 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
We did one of the wildlife sunset trips and it really was very enjoyable. The trip was meant to be 2 hours but we were actually out for 3 - the driver and wildlife expert were so enthusiastic and informative! The river is very peaceful, we didn't see anyone else and the boat takes you to places you can't access by foot.
It looked very pretty as the sunset and we saw swans, kingfishers, herons and other birds. As the sun set, we saw bats and then the main attraction - beavers! We saw 7 in total. The guide had to use her torch to see them as it was getting quite dark but it was easy to see them and they were about 2 metres away from the boat. Very exciting as the first time I have seen them in the wild. Although they do not guarantee seeing them, the guide said that in all the dusk boat trips they have done this year, about 40, they had a 100% success rate of seeing them.
They provided a cup of hot chocolate half way through the trip which was nice. There were a lot of mosquitos and midges but as long as you spray yourself with insect repellent, it was ok. It's a bit dark at the end of the trip when you walk through the pub garden to get to the car park (if you go on a night when the pub is closed, Mon & Tues) so bring a torch. Also some warm clothes as it can get a bit chilly. Thoroughly recommend.
It looked very pretty as the sunset and we saw swans, kingfishers, herons and other birds. As the sun set, we saw bats and then the main attraction - beavers! We saw 7 in total. The guide had to use her torch to see them as it was getting quite dark but it was easy to see them and they were about 2 metres away from the boat. Very exciting as the first time I have seen them in the wild. Although they do not guarantee seeing them, the guide said that in all the dusk boat trips they have done this year, about 40, they had a 100% success rate of seeing them.
They provided a cup of hot chocolate half way through the trip which was nice. There were a lot of mosquitos and midges but as long as you spray yourself with insect repellent, it was ok. It's a bit dark at the end of the trip when you walk through the pub garden to get to the car park (if you go on a night when the pub is closed, Mon & Tues) so bring a torch. Also some warm clothes as it can get a bit chilly. Thoroughly recommend.
Written 13 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Linda W
Gravesend, UK102 contributions
Aug 2023 • Friends
A 2 hour boat trip along the River Stour from sunset to dusk where we were fortunate to experience many beavers, swimming and gnawing on the riverbank. The captain and ecologist on board were knowledgeable and able to identify areas where beavers were most likely to be found and their patience paid off. Kingfishers swans, ducks and birds of prey were also seen during our trip. Hot chocolate was provided and blankets were available if required. Booking is essential.
Written 19 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Connie W
Whitstable, UK16 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
Nice relaxing jaunt up the river. Our second lovely pleasant trip and certainly won't be out last. Nice and peaceful and lovely scenery.
Written 18 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helen L
Folkestone12 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
We took the wildlife experience trip. So peaceful even with a full boat but the boat is electric. We saw many kingfishers,grey heron . After sunset we saw many beaver . Torches to scan the bank helped and the bats came out chasing the bugs. Wonderful experience. Throughly recommend. Booking essential
Written 15 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ajayali
Rickmansworth, UK81 contributions
Aug 2023 • Friends
It was the wildlife experience evening trip and it was wonderful. The quiet shooshing of the boat through the water, excitement of seeing so many beavers swimming and nibbling, beauty of the sunset and passion/knowledge of the pilot and ecologist onboard. The hot chocolate mid trip was an added bonus, as was the warm summers evening. A must do and we will do it again.....
Written 14 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
paul l
Faversham, UK22 contributions
Can i pay on the day ?
Linda W
Gravesend, UK102 contributions
Hi Paul,
Yes I believe you can but they prefer you to book online - I guess so they know who they've got coming. The boat takes a maximum of 12 people but will also run even if there's only 2.
On the day we were there it went at midday, 2pm, 3pm & 4pm but not at 1pm.
Hope this helps.
Hi is the boat wheelchair accessible. Thankyou Lesley
KRB1957
Folkestone, United Kingdom7 contributions
Hi Lesley, apologies for not getting back to you sooner but we have been away. I suggest you phone them & they will give you the best time to book in relation to the tide as there is a ramp onto the boat, but the angle of the ramp depends on if the tide is in or out.
chris78953
Kent, UK7 contributions
Is the access and off the boat suitable for limited mobility?
Glynn R
London, England, United Kingdom21 contributions
There is a ramp with a drop down flap that connects to the boat's side then 2 steps down into the boat. The angle of the ramp and the flap varies depending upon the tide but can be can be adjusted to keep it as easy as possible. We would advise booking in advance and communicating your specific needs so we can advise you directly - either book online or email so we can check the state of tide etc. The skipper will assist as much as possible with boarding and disembarking
