PS Waverley: the world's last paddle steamer at Poole

If you have been down to Poole Quay this week and noticed a big, old-fashioned steamer moored there, that is the PS Waverley, and it is not exactly a common sight. It is the world's only surviving ocean-going paddle steamer, and the last operational seagoing passenger-carrying paddle steamer of its kind still working. It arrived at Poole Quay on 7 September, in the middle of its South Coast and Isle of Wight season, which runs from 3 September to 22 September.

There is a bit of history behind it. The Waverley was built in 1946 and 1947 by A. & J. Inglis in Glasgow, launched on 2 October 1946 by Lady Matthews, wife of the LNER chairman, and it took its maiden voyage on 16 June 1947. It was built for the London & North Eastern Railway to replace a vessel lost during the Dunkirk evacuation on 29 May 1940. In 1974 it was gifted to the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society for £1, and it is now run by Waverley Excursions, with Paul Semple as general manager and Captain Bruce Clark at the helm.

On paper, it is a serious piece of engineering. It measures 73 metres long and 18 metres wide, with a gross tonnage of 693, and can carry up to 925 passengers. The heart of the ship is a triple-expansion diagonal three-cylinder steam engine made by Rankin & Blackmore in Greenock, putting out 1.6 megawatts, which pushes it to a maximum speed of 18 knots. It burns marine gas oil, so it is a diesel-fired steamer rather than a coal-burner.

If you want to get on board, the next available sailing is on Sunday 13 September. That one cruises along the Jurassic Coast to Weymouth, with time ashore, departing Southampton at 08:40 via an Xelabus bus, Yarmouth at 10:45 and Swanage at 12:40. The ship leaves Weymouth at 15:40 for a one-way cruise to Swanage, though the return bus from Swanage to Weymouth is already fully booked. Tickets are still available and can be booked online or by phone. Today's sailing, a cruise around the Isle of Wight with a meeting with the Steamship Shieldhall, is fully booked, so that one is a no-go.

There is a fuel surcharge to be aware of, which was introduced in April and revised in July because the expected increase in fuel costs across the season is more than £300,000, or roughly £2,200 a day more than in 2025. It is £2 for fares of £57 or less and £4 for fares of £58 or more, and it only applies to adult and senior fares, not children or dogs.

After the South Coast season closes on 22 September, the Waverley heads to the Thames to work on London's river until Sunday 9 October, with the whole 2026 season running until 18 October. And if you are a real enthusiast, the 80th anniversary of its launch falls on 2 October. For bookings, the office runs Monday to Friday 09:30 to 16:30 and Saturday 09:30 to 13:00 on 0141 243 2224, or you can book through waverleyexcursions.co.uk.