You will find the clubhouse, dating from the early seventies, on the south bank of the River Great Stour (the second largest in Kent). It lies just below the Grove Ferry Bridge some 8 miles east of Canterbury. The bridge replaced the old ferry in 1963.
We are an active boat club with various events, water activities, organized cruises in company, boat exercises etc. and with barbecues and other activities at Red House Marsh. (Our picnic facility some 4.5 miles downstream)
The Ferry Inn on the North Bank is also open on certain Sunday afternoons throughout the year between 2.30pm and 4.30pm and the open and closed dates can be seen below. All are welcome for tea, coffee and the odd cake, along with a little social banter!
The club has some 30 moorings on the north Bank and we have developed storage & facilities for dinghies, canoes etc. in our compound, and we now have easy launching facilities with the slipway on the north bank.
History of Grove Ferry Railway Station
Grove Ferry station opened on 13 April 1846,the rural station was built to serve the village of Upstreet and the ferry crossing of the Great Stour until 1966, when a bridge was built. The nearby "Grove Ferry Inn" owned the rights to the ferry and farmed 17 acres (6.9 ha) of lavender, creating a popular day trip destination up until the Second World War; this is now part of the Grove Ferry Picnic Area. The public level crossing and goods sidings leading to the ferry were operated from a small signal box. The station was renamed Grove Ferry & Upstreet in September 1954. Goods traffic ceased on 30 April 1960. The railway between Ashford and Minster was electrified on 9 October 1961. A concrete footbridge was built at the station in preparation for this change. The signal box closed on 14 March 1964, and the level crossing was converted to automatic half barriers on 3 January 1966. The station closed the same day, shortly before the introduction of a bus service over the new Grove Ferry Bridge, which would have undermined the low patronage.
Please note: Due to Covid 19 , the Ferry Inn will not be open for teas, coffees or your usual banter.
Meet the Club Committee & Trustees
Tony Farrow
CommodoreTony has recently become the club's new Commodore
Samantha Johns
Club SecretaryWe got our Viking 20 in 2021 and I really enjoy evening trips down to see the seals.
Sheila Howard
Membership SecretarySheila is into her 7th year as our Membership Secretary and has been a great supporter of the club and has hosted many of our social events.
John Bottle
Compound Manager“I have been a member of the club for over 17 years, and I am co-owner of a 30 foot Seamaster called Harmony.”
Gareth Johns
Rear CommodoreIt’s an honour to be able to serve my fellow club members in this role.
Alan Foden
Treasurer
Wally Wanstall
Past Commodore & TrusteeWally served as Commodore from 2004 until 2007 and has also held the position of Works Co-ordinator.
Steve Dennis
Past CommodoreSteve was our Vice Commodore and he has also been our Commodore in the past. Steve & Mary's have the Seamaster 32 "Sherwood Lady"
Colin Brazier
Vice CommodoreColin and Liz can be seen on the river on their Seamaster, 'Peace' which is kept on the club moorings.