Historic paddle steamer is back in North Devon for her 80th birthday

The historic paddle steamer Waverley is currently back cruising in the Bristol Channel during her 80th anniversary year – with plenty of North Devon visits during the next two weeks.

A busy cruising schedule up to Wednesday, June 17 will see Waverley, the world’s last ever ocean-going paddle steamer, sailing up and down the channel between North Devon, South Wales and Somerset.

Ilfracombe will feature heavily on the itinerary, typically arriving at around midday before going on to cruise the North Devon coast or visiting Lundy Island, as well as a visit to Bideford on Monday, June 15.

A bus service will connect locals between Bideford and Ilfracombe to board the ship and return home, as well as offer excursions on other days to locations such as Lynton and Barnstaple Railway at Woody Bay.

Other ports visited include Swansea and Penarth in Wales and Clevedon, Minehead, Weston-super-Mare and Portishead on this side of the channel.

Paul Semple, Waverley’s general manager, said: “This year is particularly special as Waverley celebrates 80 years since her launch in 1946. Eight decades on, she continues to steam around the Great British coastline.

“While the cost of operating a historic ship continues to rise, including a 65 per cent increase in fuel costs this season, Waverley remains very much in operation thanks to the tremendous support we receive from passengers, members, volunteers and supporters across the UK.

“The best way people can help secure Waverley's future is by stepping aboard and enjoying a cruise, helping to ensure she can continue sailing for generations to come.”

The next sailing on the North Devon side is on Sunday (May 31) when the ship departs Penarth at 9.45am to arrive in Ilfracombe at 12.45pm. Then she departs at 1pm to cruise the North Devon coast, viewing Bull Point Lighthouse and Woolacombe Bay, before returning to Ilfracombe at 3.15pm.

There is a similar cruise on Tuesday, June 2 and then on Wednesday, June 3 she leaves Minehead at 9am, arriving in Ilfracombe at 11am and departing at 11.20am to visit Lundy Island, leaving Lundy at 4pm after a one hour 45 minute stopover and returning to Ilfracombe at 5.45pm.

On Thursday (June 4), Waverley leaves Porthcawl at 9.30am to arrive in Ilfracombe at 11.30am, departing Ilfracombe at 5.30pm.

On Friday, June 5 she arrives in Ilfracombe at 11.45am from Swansea, before setting off at 12noon to visit Lundy Island, departing Lundy at 4.15pm.

A mix of similar sailing schedules will run on the following days, with full time table details on the Waverley Excursions website.

One to look ahead to is her visit to Bideford and the River Torridge on Monday June 15. She docks at Ilfracombe at 2.30pm, with Bideford passengers able to get a bus to meet the ship there.

Then she departs to cruise Woolacombe Bay and the Torridge, docking at Bideford at 6pm and leaving at 7pm to cruise the Torridge and North Devon coast before returning to Ilfracombe at 9pm. Passengers who want to board at Bideford at 6pm can get a supplied bus back from Ilfracombe.

Waverley’s Master, Captain Bruce Clark, concluded: “We are delighted to see Waverley return to the Bristol Channel for another series of spectacular coastal cruises over the next few weeks.

“This year’s programme offers passengers the opportunity to experience some of the region’s most beautiful coastline from the decks of the World’s last seagoing paddle steamer.

“There is something for everyone, from relaxing afternoon and evening cruises to full day excursions across the Bristol Channel.”

Onboard, passengers can savour the sight and sound of a real steamship - hear the telegraph ring, visit the engine room and watch the engine start to move and see the paddles turning through the portholes.

Tickets and full timetable details are available from https://waverleyexcursions.co.uk or by calling the booking office on 01412 432224.