History of the Guild

The Wenmarrow Ferry Guild was founded on 17 August 1874 by Captain Merriel Doake, who had rowed the crossing alone for six years before persuading five other boatmen to pool their boats and share the fares.

The Guild's first charter, written on a single sheet and signed by all six founders, set out three rules that still stand: no crossing is refused to anyone who can pay, the post always travels free, and the last boat of the day waits five minutes for anyone running down the quay.

Steam arrived on the lake in 1901 and diesel in 1956. The Guild has never owned a car ferry; a proposal to build one was voted down in 1968 and has not been raised since.

The Guild's hall stands at the head of Gullspit Quay. Its bell, cast from the bronze fittings of the founders' rowing boats, is rung once for every sailing.