Bryan Ferry Bridges the Gap at Temple
With Temple Bridge still out of action and the Thames Path cut in two, a new river crossing has stepped in to keep walkers, cyclists, and weekend explorers moving. Bryan Ferry, a beautifully restored, solar‑powered boat, is now ferrying people between Temple and Hurley, restoring a vital link along this much‑loved stretch of the river.
The initiative comes from Justin Whelan, aka the hugely popular Pirate Pizza whose wood‑fired creations have become a fixture of summer on the Thames. Seeing how the bridge closure was disrupting everything from charity walks to simple Sunday strolls, he decided not to wait for a long repair timeline. Instead, he bought and refurbished a 50‑year‑old vessel, fitting it with electric power and solar panels to create a clean, quiet, community‑minded solution.
Running on selected days each week, Bryan Ferry offers a safe, scenic crossing that keeps the riverside route flowing. For many, it’s more than a convenience, it’s a way to stay connected to nature without being pushed onto busy roads or abandoning favourite walks altogether.
There is currently no time table, they just go from one side to the other when they see someone Wed/Sat/Sun 10:00-16:00 till the summer gets going, then hours and days may change.
Pick up points: Marlow side at Temple Bridge and Hurley walk downstream towards the bridge and they are next to the sheep field opposite Harleyford
Keep up to date by following the Bryan Ferry the Ferry’s Facebook page
Maybe the same could be done for the Horsebridge at Marsh Lock?
Top image: Bryan Ferry the Ferry Facebook
