Ferry Cross The Mersey

Britain's Best Views: the Mersey ferry, Liverpool

His lurch through silt with his chin bobbing on the surface between waves brought back memories of Daniel Defoe's piggyback ride in the 1720s when the wherry to Liverpool from the Wirral was too deeply-keeled to reach the shore.

"We rode through the water for some length, not on horseback but on the shoulders of some honest Lancashire clown," wrote Defoe in his A Tour through the Whole Island of Great Britain. "He trusses you up and then runs away with you, as nimbly as you may desire."

Since then bridges and tunnels have spanned the old division between lush Cheshire's hinterland and the sterner north, but ferries remain at the heart of the river and their decks offer wonderful and very different views. Much the most famous belong to Mersey Ferries , the fleet of sturdy steamers with bright red funnels and trim lines which plough a triangular path between Liverpool and two docks at Birkenhead and Wallasey every working day.

Even those who have never walked along Pier Head, with its imposing "Three Graces" buildings looking out towards America, are likely to have a picture of the boats in their heads. Gerry Marsden and the Pacemakers' yearning ballad, Ferry Cross the Mersey, which made the top 10 in both the UK and the US in 1964-65, is the top hum and whistle on the cheerful weekday service which shuttles commuters between 7.20am and 7pm.

Rival road and rail crossings have failed to woo them away, including regular sailor Martha Stern, an accountant in Liverpool, who clutches her cycle as the ship pulls out from Seacombe and sets course for Pier Head.

"It's just a fantastic journey - I think that every day, though I've been doing it for nearly 20 years," she says. "Just look at that line-up!" Behind the flag cracking in the wind at the bow, the Graces stand in their stately line: the Royal Liver Building topped by its curious birds, the Cunard Building, former home of the most famous shipping line, and the Port of Liverpool Building, commissioned with rival magnificence for the Mersey Docks and Harbours Board.

"It's like they say on the ferry leaflets – you don't often see the words 'enjoyable' and 'commuting' side by side," says Stern, who bikes a mile to the Seacombe ferry pier in the morning and a few hundred yards to her office at the Liverpool end. "That really is the case when your journey's like this. You won't hear anyone say different.

Ferry Across the Mersey. « Liverpool cultural champions' blog

Yes , I think it’s a good day for a cruise on the River Mersey. My Australian visitors are enjoying all that Liverpool has to offer. Also getting out and about in Wales, (so close to Liverpool)  Southport , Garstang to name a few.  We went to Maritime and Slavery Museum which they found very interesting and also they went to the Aparthied exhibition which they found quite sad and depressing. After living in South Africa for a few years  (in the mid sixties) they viewed the images and felt that nothing had improved for any of the citizens of that country. Except for a few in power. International Slavery Day is coming up very soon with some events in Liverpool but for those who haven’t been the above exhibitions are a worthwhile visit.  More events planned for the Ferries in August and September. 7th Aug. Mersey Pirate Muster. leaves Pierhead at 12.30.   Liverbird Wildfire Discovery Cruise. (for bird watchers) 18th Aug/ 3rd& 15th Sept.

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