About Mersey Ferries
Ferries have featured on the River Mersey for over 800 years. By the time Liverpool had been officially declared a town in 1207 ‘ferries’ were already an established sight.
The iconic Mersey Ferries are an essential part of the Liverpool City Region’s rich and diverse history. Ferries have sailed across the River Mersey for over 800 years, as Benedictine Monks ran the first ferry service from Birkenhead to Liverpool in 1150 AD, taking travellers to the small fishing village of Liverpool on market days.
The ferries also took part in a daring offensive raid in the harbour of Zeebrugge during the first World War in 1918. In recognition of their courageous part in the raid King George V granted permission to add the Royal prefix to their names. Mersey Ferries are owned and operated by Merseytravel, the Executive body that provides professional, strategic and operational transport advice to the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority to enable it to make informed decisions. It is also the delivery arm, making transport happen.
Mersey Ferries offer a fantastic range of cruises all year round including a 50-minute River Explorer sightseeing cruise, which departs daily from Liverpool Gerry Marsden terminal at the Pier Head calling at Wirral terminals, Seacombe and Woodside, during the trip. Guided by expert commentary throughout the cruise, there is no better way to see Liverpool’s famous skyline than from the deck of a Mersey Ferry.
Evening Cruises, fascinating day trips along the Manchester Ship Canal and sightseeing cruises to Liverpool Bay are also set sail throughout the year and give passengers the opportunity to learn more about the North West’s history and experience incredible scenery.