In 1901 Marble Hill House on the north bank of the Thames and the surrounding park were purchased for public use[3] and in 1902 the footpath on the southern bank near Ham House became a public right of way by Act of Parliament,[4] resulting in increased passenger traffic in the area.

In 1908 local resident Walter Hammerton began hiring out boats to leisure users from a boathouse opposite Marble Hill House, and in 1909 began to operate a regular ferry service across the river at this point using a 12-passenger clinker-built skiff,[5] charging 1d per journey.

("Fairyland", in this case, referring to Marble Hill House, recently purchased by the London County Council for public enjoyment.

[10] The current ferry, Peace of Mind, was designed and built by Thanetcraft Limited in South Wales in 1997.

[14] In July 2007 the ferry briefly made headlines when owner Francis Spencer saved from drowning a woman found floating in the Thames.