Why a Hythe ferry?

For more than 500 years, people have relied on boats to cross between the New Forest and the city of Southampton. The challenge has always been the same: how do you move easily between rural land and a bustling port?

The area now known as the Waterside once held forests, farms, and livestock, while the opposite shore grew into a centre of trade, docks, and defence. Wealthy landowners needed reliable access to markets, and the ferry became an essential link.

Life on the Waterside remained relatively quiet until 1840, when the arrival of the railway in Southampton transformed local travel forever.

An early 1920s photo showing two carriages, and a tractor on each end.

The Hythe Pier Museum is run by Volunteers

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Hythe Pier Museum

The Hythe Pier Museum is run entirely by dedicated volunteers who work to preserve and share the remarkable heritage of the pier, train, and ferry. Our mission is simple: to celebrate and protect the stories that make Hythe’s waterfront unique.

Hythe Pier

Stretching 2,100 feet into Southampton Water, Hythe Pier has been a landmark since 1881. What stands today isn’t the first pier on this site, but it is the one that has shaped generations of journeys, memories, and maritime history.

Hythe Ferry

Waterborne transport has connected Hythe to Southampton for centuries. The ferry service has evolved over time, but its purpose remains unchanged: to provide a vital link across the water for residents, workers, and visitors.

Hythe Pier Train

The Hythe Pier Train is the oldest continuously operating pier train in the world. Its heritage is more than mechanical—it’s a living piece of local identity, with stories and achievements that stretch far beyond its rails.