Website of the UK government

Ferry services

International ferry services run from UK ports to France, the Republic of Ireland, Spain, Belgium, Scandinavia and the Netherlands.

There are also local ferry services that run to the Channel Islands, Isles of Scilly, Isle of Man and the Scottish Isles.

To find a ferry service for a journey from the UK to another country, you could try putting 'UK ferry service' and your destination in a search engine. This should bring up the websites of service providers with various routes.

For travel within the UK, Journey Planner can suggest a range of routes using car or public transport, including ferry and riverboat services where appropriate.

• Journey planner

Commuter riverboats

Commuter river services, sometimes called waterbuses, operate in:

You can find more details and timetables for services on the TfL and Mersey Ferry websites.

• London's river services from Transport for London Opens new window
• Services and timetables from Mersey Ferries Opens new window

Responsibility for Britain's waterways

In England and Wales, the Inland Waterways Branch of the Marine and Waterways Division within Defra has overall responsibility for the waterways. In Scotland, it's the Scottish Executive.

Defra's website explains in detail the government's policies for inland waterways in England and Wales and how the waterways are looked after.

• Britain's inland waterways information from Defra Opens new window

Association of Inland Navigation Authorities (AINA)

AINA is the industry body for all waterways throughout the UK.

AINA's main members are:

• British Waterways
• the Environment Agency
• the Broads Authority

along with local councils.

AINA's website includes a downloadable PDF that shows who maintains various waterways throughout the UK.

• Find out who manages your local waterway (PDF, 142 K) Opens new window
• Help with PDF files
• Visit the AINA website Opens new window

Your local waterway

If you would like environmental information about your local waterway or want to report a polluted waterway, you can find detailed information by following the link below. 

• Environmental quality in your area (environment and greener living section)

Hiring a boat

If you decide to hire a boat for your travels - whether you want a yacht or a canal boat - you need to know how to sail it safely. British Waterways has produced a leaflet on the Waterways Code, which covers basic safety guidelines for beginners on the water. You can download the leaflet from the British Waterways website.

The British Waterways website also includes a section on boating for pleasure on Britain's canals, rivers and lakes.

• Download the Waterways Code leaflet from British Waterways (PDF, 236 K) Opens new window
• Help with PDF files
• Boating guide from British Waterways Opens new window