A ferry across the River Mersey in …

Years: 1150 - 1150

A ferry across the River Mersey in north west England, between Liverpool and the Wirral Peninsula, from Seacombe, the narrowest crossing point of the river, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086.

The Benedictine Priory at Birkenhead is established in 1150.

The monks begin to charge a small fare to row passengers across the river.

The Mersey at this time is considerably wider than it is today, with sand dunes and marshes to the north leading up to Ainsdale beach and sandstone cliffs and shorelines to the south near Otterspool.

The only suitable landing point for the ferry is in the Pool, near the site of the present Merseyside Police headquarters.

Weather often stops crossings and passengers are delayed for days, taking shelter at the priory.

For more than eight centuries, ferries will continue to be popular for both local people and visitors.

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