World’s last seagoing paddle steamer Waverley visit Cornwall

Sailings have been confirmed to take place on Thursday, August 29 and Friday, August 30, with the historic steamship visiting Penzance, Falmouth and Fowey.

She will then move to Plymouth and Dartmouth in Devon on the Saturday and Sunday.

It is Waverley’s first visit to the area since the late 90s, and her first ever visit to Fowey.

The itinerary will feature:

Thursday, August 29

Penzance

Penzance to cruise Mousehole and Gwennap head with views of Land’s End 2pm to 4.30pm

Penzance to Falmouth 4.45pm to 7.30pm

Penzance to cruise St Michael’s Mount and Lizard Point 4.45pm to 9pm

Falmouth

Falmouth to Penzance 11am to 1.45pm

Falmouth to Penzance 11am to 7.30pm

Falmouth to cruise Mousehole and Gwennap Head to view Land’s End 11am to 7.30pm

Friday, August 30

Falmouth

Falmouth to Fowey 10am to 12.30pm

Falmouth to Plymouth 10am to 5pm

Falmouth to cruise Dodman Point, St Austell Bay and visit Fowey 10am to 5pm

Falmouth to cruise Dodman Point, St Austell Bay, River Fowey, Looe Bay and Rame Heritage Coast 10am to 7pm

Fowey

Fowey to Plymouth 1.45pm to 5pm

Fowey to cruise Looe Bay and Rame Heritage Coast 1.45pm to 6.30pm

Fowey to cruise Dodman Point and St Austell Bay 8am to 12.30pm

Then on Saturday, August 31 there will be an extra special occasion when Britain’s only two operational paddle steamers – Waverley and Kingswear Castle – meet up for the first time on the River Dart.

The evening before, Friday, August 30, Waverley will dock in Plymouth and offer an evening cruise as part of the Cattewatter 150 Celebrations.

Tickets to sail onboard Waverley are available now (Image: Supplied)

Captain Richard Allan, harbour master and CEO of Cattewater Harbour Commissioners, said: “Following a successful trial last October, we're delighted that PS Waverley will be returning to Plymouth in August and be part of our harbour's anniversary year and special Cattewater 150 celebrations.

“This iconic vessel will be berthed on the Barbican Landing Stage during her visit, enabling her passengers easy access onto and off as they enjoy sailings in Plymouth Sound, the Tamar and the wider South Devon coast."

This year Waverley holds the prestigious status of being crowned National Flagship by National Historic Ships UK. The award recognises the breadth and geographic coverage of Waverley’s sailings, in addition to the extended sailing programme planned for 2024, which includes her visit to the south west.

Passengers onboard Waverley are able to watch the engineers at work (Image: Supplied)

This year also marks the 50th anniversary since Waverley was gifted for £1 to the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society to preserve her for future generations.

Since 1975 the steamer has been operated on a not-for-profit basis to ensure her continued survival, given she is the last of her kind.

The ship features open promenade decks, a self-service dining saloon, period lounges, a gift shop and an open engine room.

Passengers aboard Waverley are able to watch the engineers at work as they operate the impressive triple expansion steam engine and view the ship’s paddle wheels.

The pinnacle of Waverley’s visit will be meeting the last remaining steam powered river paddle steamer, Kingswear Castle, on the river Dart on the afternoon of Saturday, August 31.

The last remaining steam powered river paddle steamer, Kingswear Castle (Image: Supplied)

Paul Semple, general manager for Waverley, said: “Given Kingswear Castle is celebrating her centenary this year it is fantastic to be able to bring together the only two operational paddle steamers in the UK for the first time on the River Dart.

“I hope many in Cornwall and Devon will step aboard and experience Waverley as a living and working steam heritage attraction which is of national and international significance.”

Following on from the South West sailings Waverley will sail east to Swanage for three weeks of sailings during September on the South Coast and Isle of Wight before finally setting course for London and the Thames Estuary.

Tickets for all sailings can be purchased at waverleyexcursions.co.uk or by calling the booking office on 0141 243 2224. 

Waverley was built in Glasgow for the London and North Eastern Railway, launched in October1946, and entered service in on 16th June 1947.

Since 1975 she has operated in preservation, carrying more than six million passengers, visiting several areas of the UK offering a variety of day, afternoon, and evening cruises.

Registered for up to 780 passengers, she was fully restored to her original 1940s style following a two stage £7m Heritage Rebuild in Great Yarmouth in 2000 and 2003.