Service Status

Hythe Ferry Update – Thursday 18th June 2026

THE HYTHE PIER COMPANY ACQUIRES ASSETS OF THE HISTORIC HYTHE & SOUTHAMPTON FERRY
Acquisition secures strategic assets to protect the long-term future of the historic waterway crossing.
The Hythe Pier Company is pleased to confirm that it has completed the acquisition of the assets of Hythe & Southampton Ferry Company Limited, from the Liquidators.
The acquisition includes a range of strategic assets associated with the historic Hythe–Southampton ferry operation with one clear objective: to help protect the long-term future of the historic crossing and preserve the opportunity for a future passenger service across Southampton Water.
The Hythe–Southampton route has served communities across Southampton Water for generations and our priority is for it to return to being an important part of the area’s transport network, local tourism and maritime heritage.
Ashleigh Mutimear-MacMillan, Director of The Hythe Pier Company, said:
“This acquisition is first and foremost about protecting the future of this historic route, as well as creating an opportunity for a future service across Southampton Water.
Over the last few decades, different parts of the service have become increasingly fragmented. I therefore saw this as the perfect opportunity to bring many of them back together. Whilst this does not mean the immediate return of a scheduled ferry service, it does give us the best possible foundation to explore what comes next.
The crossing is a crucial part of Hythe’s heritage, and I believe that the assets associated with it should remain connected to the pier and the Waterside community it serves.
Discussions are already taking place with potential operators and partners about what a future service might look like, and how a sustainable transport link across Southampton Water may once again be delivered.
There is a huge amount of work ahead, but this is an important step towards protecting the future of a service that has connected communities across Southampton Water for generations.”