It is situated on the west bank of the River Trent, and 9 miles (14 km) north from Gainsborough.

[6] Owston Ferry Grade I listed Anglican parish church is dedicated to St Martin.

[8] In 1885 Kelly's reported the existence of Wesleyan and Primitive Methodist chapels,[9] a rope-walk, boatbuilding yard, several corn mills, and the manufacture of sacking and sail cloth.

In 2009, a specific area of land in Owston Ferry was highlighted in a study by W. S. Atkins for the Department of Energy on alternative sites for a nuclear power plant as a potentially suitable site "worthy of further consideration".

[citation needed] Owston Ferry stands on flat ground by the River Trent at 53°29′42.8″N 0°47′8.3″W / 53.495222°N 0.785639°W / 53.495222; -0.785639 (53.495228°, -0.785656°).