Spade Oak Ferry and Spade Oak PH

Mooring for Spade oak

Right (North) bank above Bourne End, footpath over railway level crossing, then up Coldmoorholme Lane 300yds, 01628 520090

The Spade Oak is a premium pub, bar, and restaurant with its very own courtyard, centrally located in the heart of the picturesque town of Bourne End. Set in the sleepy, riverside village of Bourne End, The Spade Oak is a characterful pub, bar, and restaurant that provides the ideal place to escape reality in truly special surroundings. Perfectly equipped to accommodate all of your dining needs, this family orientated pub is a great venue for brunch, lunch, or dinner, no matter what the occasion. And, whether you stop by for a drink in stylish surroundings or a spot of al fresco dining during the summer months, you’ll be able to tuck into a delicious selection of seasonal dishes accompanied by a great collection of real ales, wines, and lagers.

Cockmarsh Hill by Stanley Spencer, 1935. The view would include, I think, the Spade Oak across the river.

Cockmarsh Hill by Stanley Spencer, 1935

Ferry originally controlled by Benedictine Nuns at Little Marlow.
1761:  In Rocque's Survey, however Fred Thacker reckoned it was not in actual existence till 1822
1794: Report of a survey of the river Thames between Reading and Isleworth ... John Rennie (the Elder)

Mr. Rose, of Spade Oak Wharf, has a right of towage for horses along a field near his house, which ought to be purchased ; and a ferry should be established for the horses that come from Boulter's Lock, so that they might continue throughout to Marlow.

1826: Spade Oak Ferry and a ferry house

1859: The Thames, Mr & Mrs Hall

Shade-Oak[sic Spade-Oak] Ferry is next reached, and here the river begins to assume a more busy and active character — barges, punts, boats, " canoes", and racing-boats are more often encountered; the shores are more populous than they have been hitherto, and we gradually lose that sense of solitude with which the grand old "Father" has so continually oppressed us higher up the stream.

1880: William Morris, Putney to Kelmscot -

Towed on in most beautiful sunset past Cookham. Country very delightful from Cookham Lock onward: hills (low chalk banks call them) fall back from the river which is very wide: the whole full of character.

1915?: A pontoon bridge by the Spade Oak, a First World War training exercise -

Spade Oak Pontoon Bridge, 1915?

1994/5:  a footpath was attached to the upstream side of the Bourne End Railway Bridge to form part of the Thames Path and to replace the Spade Oak Ferry.