Grove Ferry River Trips
Grove Ferry River Trips
Grove Ferry River Trips
4.8
Monday
Closed
Tuesday
Closed
Wednesday
Closed
Thursday
Closed
Friday
Closed
Saturday
12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Full view
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”. We are open Between March and Nov, please see website for details. Note car parking at the Grove Ferry Inn is free but you must register your car using the terminal on the bar.
Upstreet, Kent, England
Awards
Travellers' Choice
2024
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.8
181 reviews
Excellent
163
Very good
10
Average
4
Poor
0
Terrible
4
Deandshillcottage
7 contributions
Jun 2024 • Couples
Took the evening two hour Wildlife Experience on 19th June and it was everything that we expected and hoped for. A good number of beavers seen, none of which were disturbed by our near silent approach or the spotlight after sunset.
Pete was truly excellent skipper, obviously very knowledgable and passionate about the river and it's ecology. But to have Tom, the young ecologist along too made it even better. No questions were too much trouble and we all learned a lot about the beavers, the other local mammals, birds and fish - all delivered in a friendly and helpful manner.
Money very well spent - even if the hoped-for sight of a Kingfisher didn't materialise. No problem, we'll be back and do it again soon.
Pete was truly excellent skipper, obviously very knowledgable and passionate about the river and it's ecology. But to have Tom, the young ecologist along too made it even better. No questions were too much trouble and we all learned a lot about the beavers, the other local mammals, birds and fish - all delivered in a friendly and helpful manner.
Money very well spent - even if the hoped-for sight of a Kingfisher didn't materialise. No problem, we'll be back and do it again soon.
Written 24 June 2024
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.
Sharon D
2 contributions
Sept 2024 • Family
Our captain Graham M made our trip so enjoyable he was friendly, knowledgeable pointed out kingfishers, beaver dams amongst other wildlife.
We very much enjoyed our trip along the river. Can’t wait to book an evening trip next summer.i would highly recommend.
Thank you Graham.
We very much enjoyed our trip along the river. Can’t wait to book an evening trip next summer.i would highly recommend.
Thank you Graham.
Written 16 September 2024
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.
Pat S
4 contributions
Jul 2024 • Friends
A ‘first’ experience for our group of four people ranging in ages from 7-70+. Greatly enjoyed by all. The ferry master was knowledgeable with his commentary whilst flexible and friendly with questions and comments. The party before us saw a kingfisher. We saw a cormorant doing an aerial display and deep diving swim in front of the boat. Never seen ‘Emperor Dragonflies’ in abundance before. Most enjoyable and interesting.
Written 28 July 2024
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.
Heather G
Canterbury, UK236 contributions
Aug 2024 • Couples
We opted for the two hour wildlife trip one summer evening. Received a very warm welcome on board, and were surprised and delighted to have an ecologist on the trip as well as the skipper. The boat meanders down the river and at sunset, it was very pretty and relaxing. We learnt so much about the wildlife on the river and the environment of the Great Stour. We saw magnificent grey herons, swans, ducks and too many beavers to count. Almost seemed they were putting on a show for us! Absolutely fascinating learning about their habits and habitats. On the way back, as dusk fell, we were able to track bats using the onboard echo-locator. Highly recommended.
Written 16 August 2024
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.
Journey543789
Canterbury, UK2 contributions
May 2024 • Couples
What a fabulous evening cruise! With Pete the skipper at the helm we were in safe hands. The ecologist was very friendly and knowledgeable and made the trip very interesting. They also had excellent spotting skills and ensured that we were all directed well to give the best view of the wild life. We saw lots of birds including a marsh harrier, egrets and herons, we also heard bitterns BUT the most exciting were the many gorgeous BEAVERS swimming at close range.
Thank you to the crew and to the other passenger who shared her delicious Pimms on the return journey😁
We have already told friends and family about our lovely experience and will be back!
Thank you to the crew and to the other passenger who shared her delicious Pimms on the return journey😁
We have already told friends and family about our lovely experience and will be back!
Written 28 May 2024
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.
Susie P
6 contributions
Aug 2024 • Couples
Had the perfect weather for a lovely trip down the river in the direction of Pegwell Bay. A peaceful 50 minutes watching the wildlife and saw a Marsh Harrier for the very first time. I understand from our Captain Ashley, that there are beavers along the river and they do evening trips to observe them. That’s next on my list to do!
Written 21 August 2024
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.
Den
2 contributions
Aug 2024 • Family
A lovely way to spend an hour. Luckily the weather was on our side, when as a family group of 10, with an age range of 9-70 we went on our boat trip. It was thoroughly enjoyed by all and our 'Captain' was very friendly and knowledgeable. I never realised how many people use the river and as we relaxed and laughed our way along it was great to see so many people having fun. Such a lovely way to get a different view of our local river, very enjoyable.
Written 6 August 2024
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.
Liz T
Tonbridge, UK15 contributions
May 2024 • Family
Evening tour was absolutely magical!! Excellent ecologist on board spotted birds and birdsong (hobbys, bittern booming, Marsh harrier, peregrine falcon were highlights!). Also saw several beavers, which was thrilling. It was very peaceful floating down the river at dusk too. Highly recommended!
Written 21 May 2024
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.
Jas0901
Chatham, UK19 contributions
Aug 2024 • Family
We done the 55 minute trip yesterday and all 3 of us thoroughly enjoyed it. The gentleman who took us down the river was extremely informative, it was lovely and peaceful, and made for a nice trip doing something different. I've already recommended it to family.
Written 14 August 2024
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.
Debzee W
6 contributions
Aug 2024 • Friends
Such a delight ... Beautiful relaxing boat trip along the Stour beside Stodmarsh. The boat is electric so no polution or noise. Unspoilt and very peaceful. Our skipper was very professional, friendly and very knowledgeable. Would definitely go again and recommend.
Written 29 August 2024
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.
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.
Written 11 September 2022
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.
Written 9 September 2022
Is the access and off the boat suitable for limited mobility?
Written 5 June 2019
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
Written 5 June 2019
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