Historians have found records showing suggesting a crossing as early as 946 and that it was used as a river port by the Saxons.
In the 13th century it provided Benedictine monks with transport between Eynsham Abbey, Northmoor Church and Abingdon Abbey.
Later ferries continued to provide a crossing service until the mid-20th century.
The ferry used to be capable of taking cars as well as foot passengers across the Thames, until the boat sank four times in the early 1960s. As a result it was refused a vehicle carrying licence in 1964.
The ferry was a wide-beamed ferry punt with a rope or chain in the river, which presented something of a hazard to navigation
The poet Matthew Arnold described the area in his 1853 work "The Scholar Gipsy":
Thee, at the ferry, Oxford riders blithe, Returning home on summer nights, have met
Crossing the stripling Thames at Bablock-hithe, Trailing in the cool stream thy fingers wet, As the slow punt swings round.
Pedestrian and cyclist use stopped in 2007 although there is a campaign to re-open the link.
It is a popular location for paddling the river.