Waverley Paddle Steamer

Experience the Majestic Waverley

The World's Largest Seagoing Paddle Steamer!

 

Saturday 26th September 2026

Step aboard the magnificent PS Waverley, the world’s last seagoing paddle steamer, and enjoy

a nostalgic 1940s-style cruise the whole family will love.

 

Experience the sights, sounds, and atmosphere of a real steamship as Waverley sails along the

coast in true vintage style. This is a wonderful day out combining history, relaxation, and seaside fun.

 

About Waverley

Built in Glasgow for the London and North Eastern Railway, Waverley was launched in October 1946

and entered service on 16th June 1947.

 

Today she is proudly preserved as the world’s last seagoing paddle steamer and has carried over

6 million passengers since entering preservation service in 1975.

 

Waverley is operated on a not-for-profit basis by Waverley Steam Navigation Co. Ltd, a Registered

Charity, and remains fully restored to her original 1940s appearance and character.

 

In 2023, Waverley was included in The Times list of the “Seven of the UK’s Best Boat Trips”.

 

What You Can Enjoy On Board

Once aboard, passengers can enjoy:

• Hearing the ship’s telegraph ring

• Visiting the famous Engine Room

• Watching the massive paddle wheels turning through the portholes

• Relaxing in beautiful period lounges

• Taking in stunning coastal views from the deck

• Visiting the Souvenir Shop for exclusive gifts and mementos

 

Full Catering Facilities Available

Passengers can also enjoy a variety of food and refreshments throughout the cruise, including:

• Hot and cold snacks

• Tea and cakes

• Hot meals served in the Dining Saloon

• Drinks and refreshments from the lounges

 

Trip Information

 

Coach Departure: We expect to leave our depot at 6:30am

Boarding Time: We board the boat at approximately 9:15am

Arrival in Southend: We arrive into Southend-on-Sea at around 1:15pm

Free Time: Enjoy a few hours exploring Southend, visiting the seafront, arcades, shops,

cafés, and attractions

Return Journey: After our time in Southend, we return home by coach, we aim to arrive back in

Luton at approximately 7:00pm, subject to traffic.

 

Why Travel on Waverley?

• A rare opportunity to sail on a historic steamship

• Authentic 1940s atmosphere

• Perfect for families, couples, and groups

• Stunning coastal scenery

• One of the UK’s most unique day trips

• A memorable experience for all ages

 

Information About Southend Pier

Please note that upon arrival at Southend-on-Sea, the pier is approximately 1.3 miles long, making

it the longest pleasure pier in the world. You are welcome to walk the pier, which usually takes around

25–30 minutes, or you can take the pier train to the other side for £3 per person. The train journey takes

approximately 10–15 minutes. *Train ticket's must be purchased in advance, please select south

end pier train at the time of booking*

 

 

 

 

Important Information:

 

Timetable and Pickup Route

You will receive a Final Confirmation a few days before your trip, which will include your specific departure

time from your chosen pickup location. This is because we finalise the pickup route and timetable once all

bookings have been received.

 

Accessibility:

If you have mobility issues, please inform us in advance, as we occasionally use a double-decker bus during

high demand. Kindly let us know if you require assistance or cannot climb stairs.

 

Seating and Upgrade Options

Seats are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. We will do our best to accommodate your preferences.

 

Upgrade Options:

Select Your Preferred Seat:

Due to high demand for seats near the front, we now offer an upgrade to reserve specific seats in rows 2-5

for an additional £3.00 per person. This allows you to choose your preferred seat closer to the front of the coach.

 

Front Row Seats:

If you wish to reserve a front row seat, it is available for an additional £6.00 per person.

 

Please let us know in advance if you would like to upgrade your seating. We’ll do our best to meet your preferences

and ensure a comfortable journey.

 

NEW Feeder service

There will be occasions when we provide a feeder vehicle to collect you and transport you to meet the main coach.

This will allow us to minimise the pick up times.

 

WAVERLY ACCESSIBILITY

 

At Paddle Steamer Waverley, we are committed to providing a safe and enjoyable experience for

all passengers, including those with accessibility needs. Please take note of the following information

regarding accessibility features and limitations on board.

 

GANGWAYS & WHEELCHAIR ACCESS

The gangways leading onto the ship have foot ridges for safety purposes therefore wheelchairs can’t

be pushed across gangways. Wheelchair passengers who are unable to walk across the ridged gangways

will need to be carried onto the ship. Our crew members can assist passengers who require additional

support or have limited mobility.

 

At some of the ports and piers used by Waverley it is not possible to carry wheelchairs aboard Waverley.

Please refer to the area-by-area accessibility guides which can be viewed below.

 

SAFE HANDLING LIMIT

For safety reasons, there is a maximum weight limit of 14 stone (90kg) for passengers we can assist in

carrying in wheelchairs. Please keep this in mind when planning your cruise.

 

STAIRCASES AND DECKS

As Waverley is a historic passenger ship, there are relatively steep stairs between the different decks.

If you have any concerns or require assistance navigating the stairs, please ask our crew members for help.

 

ELECTRIC WHEELCHAIRS & MOTOR SCOOTERS

Due to safe manual handling regulations and the nature of our gangways, we are unable to carry electric

wheelchairs or motor scooters on board Waverley. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

 

ACCESSIBLE TOILET

Waverley provides a disabled toilet facility on the promenade deck, which can be accessed using a Radar Key

or by collecting a key from the Purser’s Office or the Caledonia Tea Bar.

 

ACCESSIBILITY AT PIERS

While we are able to offer assistance on boarding and during your cruise there are some piers which are not

step free, please refer to the area-by-area accessibility guides below.