Guest Blog Post – The Cottage Hotel
In August 2024, the River Dart came alive as the world’s last sea-going paddle steamer, PS Waverley, made a special visit to Dartmouth to take part in the Royal Regatta. The occasion was made even more memorable by Waverley’s meeting with her fellow paddle steamer, Kingswear Castle, in a rare and emotional reunion.
This was no ordinary visit. PS Waverley and PS Kingswear Castle share a unique bond as the only two vessels supported by the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society (PSPS), a charity dedicated to saving and celebrating Britain’s rich paddle steamer heritage.
Wherever Waverley sails, she draws a crowd. Her distinctive red, white, and black funnels and iconic paddle boxes are welcomed with fanfare, affection, and no small amount of excitement. Crowds line the shore to wave her in, passengers clamour for tickets, and photographers race to capture shots. Her 2024 cruise around the South West coast was no exception.
Reflecting on the success of that visit, Waverley’s Captain, Dominic McCall, commented:
“In 2024 we received a fantastic welcome when Waverley visited the South West with tickets selling out as locals and visitors flocked aboard. Sailing Waverley into the picturesque Fowey harbour was special but the highlight for many was meeting Paddle Steamer Kingswear Castle on the River Dart, the sight of both paddlers side by side and their steam whistles tooting was memorable for all that were aboard. This year I am delighted to announce that Torquay has been added to the cruise itinerary as we further develop the unique sailings Waverley can offer.”
This summer, Waverley will call at Torquay at 12:30pm on Saturday 30th August 2025, offering a delightful afternoon cruise along the South Devon Coast with views of Dawlish and Teignmouth. Later that afternoon, at 3:45pm, she will sail across to Dartmouth to once again meet Kingswear Castle and journey up the River Dart as part of the 2025 Dartmouth Royal Regatta celebrations.
Best Time and Place to View PS Waverley
If you haven’t managed to purchase a ticket or prefer to take photographs from a distance, here’s a guide to the best spots to view PS Waverley as she navigates the River Dart and beyond.
This year (2025) PS Waverley sails Dartmouth on two days – Saturday the 30th of August and Sunday the 31st of August.
Saturday 30th August
The Waverley steams from Torquay to cruise Tor Bay, Berry Head and the River Dart between 15:45 and 17:20. This includes a meeting with PS Kingswear Castle on the river.
The Waverley will be berthed on the River Dart from 17:20 – 18:30 where she then sails on the river until late to take in the regatta fireworks.
You are likely to get excellent views of the Waverley, therefore, from around 5pm on Saturday the 30th of August lasting all evening as the paddle steamer sails close to shore.
Walk the river bank in Dartmouth itself for views of the Waverley paddle steamer berthed.
Further, a great view is very likely from St Petrox Church or Dartmouth Castle Tea Rooms. As Waverley enters the river from the East, a good view would be seen from the National Coastwatch Centre near the Kingswear Day Marker.
As Waverley is spending so much time close to the shore on Saturday you’ll have time to move around Dartmouth and the surrounding area to find good vantage points for a view and a photo.
Sunday 31st August
On Sunday the 31st of August, Paddle Steamer Waverley departs Dartmouth at 09:30 cruising out past Start Point and on to Plymouth. As the steamer makes her way out of the River Dart visitors to Dartmouth will lose sight of the vessel very quickly.
Views from Start Point itself will likely be quite good with an opportunity to view the Waverley as she paddles towards you, passes just offshore and continues round Prawle point.
A good view will likely be obtained from Bolt Head as the Waverley approaches from Prawle but the view will soon be obscured.
With unobstructed views all the way to Plymouth, a great place to observe the Waverley paddle steamer on Sunday the 31st of August will be Hope Cove. As Waverley steams across Bigbury Bay you’ll want a high vantage point for the best possible view. An ideal location is the terrace that fronts The Cottage Hotel in Hope Cove.
The Waverley departs Dartmouth at 09:30 and arrives in Fowey at 12:45 so make sure to be on the terrace for morning coffee and then lunch. Perhaps treat yourself to a cream tea while you’re there.
Waverley’s History on the South Coast
Paddle Steamer Waverley was launched in 1946 to replace an earlier vessel of the same name that was sunk during the Dunkirk evacuation in 1940. She was originally built to serve the Firth of Clyde and spent her early career working for the Caledonian Steam Packet Company (CSP), later merged with David MacBrayne Ltd to form Caledonian MacBrayne.
The Waverley operated as part of the Clyde steamer fleet until the 1970s, when she was withdrawn from commercial service. In 1974, she was gifted to the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society (PSPS) for £1 and began a new chapter as a preserved vessel offering excursion sailings.
Her first significant visits to the South Coast came in the late 1970s. In 1978, she undertook a series of cruises in the region, including a stop at Dartmouth, marking the beginning of her long association with the South West. Since then, she has become a much-anticipated visitor, returning regularly to offer sailings along the South Devon coast.
Today, Waverley visits more than 70 ports and small piers around Britain each year. Her cruises include the Clyde, the Bristol Channel, the South Coast of England, the Thames, and beyond. Her return to Dartmouth, especially during the Royal Regatta, is seen as a highlight for many, not only because of the historical connection but because of the rare sight of two paddle steamers — Waverley and Kingswear Castle — sharing the same river.
The 2024 visit to Dartmouth was particularly special as it marked a formal meeting between the two PSPS-supported vessels. For enthusiasts and the public alike, it was a reminder of Britain’s rich maritime heritage, still very much alive and working.
