Normanton-on-Soar’s historic hand-pulled chain ferry carries passengers across the River Soar between Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire.
The ferry, which is believed to be the last chain-operated passenger ferry of its kind in the UK, dates back to at least 1770. Estimates suggest a crossing may have operated at the site as early as the 13th century.
Dave Smith, chairman of Normanton-on-Soar Parish Council, said research had found evidence of former chain ferries in Newark, Castle Donington and Wilford, but no others still operating.
Other hand-pulled ferries remain in use elsewhere, but these operate using cables rather than chains.
The Normanton ferry is powered by its operator pulling a chain connected to both banks. This turns a cog on the side of the boat and moves it across the river.
It was once used by fishermen and people travelling to markets in Loughborough. Newspaper reports from 1977 said the crossing was regularly used during the 1920s, when the fare was one penny.
By 1977, the price had increased to 10p and annual passenger numbers had reportedly fallen to fewer than 50. The ferryman at the time was Ian Hamilton, who lived at the nearby Ferry House and was required under the terms of his lease to provide the service.
The parish council took responsibility for the ferry in 1981, but it had largely fallen out of use by the mid-2000s.
Current ferryman Stuart Sleight took over in around 2008. A cabin for volunteers was built beside the river in 2017.
Around 40 trained volunteers now operate the ferry during the season. It carries approximately 3,000 passengers each year, with a record of about 140 crossings in one day.
Mr Sleight said: “How many people we get can vary. It all depends on the weather and how hot it is.”
The crossing provides a route between Leicestershire, on the southern bank, and Normanton-on-Soar, including the Plough Inn, on the Nottinghamshire side.
It also forms part of circular walking routes linking Normanton, Loughborough, Hathern and Sutton Bonington.
The ferry operates on Saturdays and Sundays from the beginning of April until the end of September. A crossing costs £1 per person, with an additional charge of 50p for bicycles and dogs.
By Joseph Connolly, Local Democracy Reporter