In the late 18th century a Purley farmer refused to allow a towpath on his land, so a diversion to the opposite bank was established using two ferries. One was here, the other a short distance upstream near Purley Church (information from ‘Ferries of the Upper Thames’ by J.Tucker https://www.amberley-books.com/discover-books/transport-industry/ferries-of-the-upper-thames-9781848689671.html ).
A photo of the cottage taken in 1899 is available at Francis Frith http://www.francisfrith.com/tilehurst/tilehurst-roebuck-ferry-house-1899_43007 .
This looks like an idyllic riverside retreat, but the busy Great Western railway line is just feet away behind the trees. The only access from Oxford Road is by a steep railway footbridge and path, so furniture must have to be shifted by boat.
SU6775 : Roebuck Ferry Cottage
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