logo
The Waverley paddle steamer returns to Wales for summer sailings

The Waverley paddle steamer returns to Wales for summer sailings

Wales Online13-06-2025
The Waverley paddle steamer returns to Wales for summer sailings
The Waverley has been sailing for 50 years and is back in Wales this month
The Waverley is the last seagoing passenger carrying paddle steamer in the world
(Image: Media Wales )
Celebrating 50 years on the water, The Waverley is returning to the Wales this month and will be docking in different locations in the coming weeks. As it cruises the Bristol Channel and south west Wales once again this June, the paddle steamer will be docking at Penarth, Swansea, Tenby, Fishguard and Porthcawl for visitors to hop aboard.
From now until June 25, you can marvel at the world's last seagoing paddle steamer or even hop aboard and enjoy the historic ship as it sails across the water to the north Devon harbour town of Ilfracombe.

Once aboard the Waverley, you'll be transported back in time as you see the splendid triple expansion steam engine, reviving the genuine allure of a classic steamship as you hear the telegraph chime, observe the engine's elegant movement, see the paddles rotate through the portholes.

Passengers can also enjoy the catering facilities on board with a hot or cold snack, tea and cake in the afternoon, a hot meal in the Dining Saloon or a refreshment in one of the period lounges.
The Waverley will be sailing through the waters in Wales this month
(Image: Media Wales )
There are two planned trips to a remote island of Lundy, where the Atlantic and the Bristol Channel meet on June 15 and 17. Passengers will be able to step off the ship and explore the island.
Article continues below
On Wednesday, June 18 the Captain's Choice cruise will see the much-loved ship sail from Porthcawl at 10am to Minehead then along the Exmoor coast to Ilfracombe.
On Sunday, June 22 the ship will be visiting Porthcawl at 3.15pm where the beach will be filled with visitors for BeachFest Porthcawl.
This year The Waverley will be taking one trip to Tenby on Tuesday, June 24 setting off from Penarth at 9.20am.

People in Tenby can then step aboard for an evening cruise where they can view Caldey Island and the stunning Pembrokeshire Coast as Waverley sets course for Milford Haven.
The finale of this year's sailings will take place on Wednesday, June 25, with a sailing from Fishguard, Waverley's first public sailing from the town in over 30 years.
For the full timetable for The Waverley, visit here.
Article continues below
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

I take my family of four on holidays abroad for less than a weekend in Wales
I take my family of four on holidays abroad for less than a weekend in Wales

North Wales Live

time17 hours ago

  • North Wales Live

I take my family of four on holidays abroad for less than a weekend in Wales

As a mum of two and a lifelong bargain hunter, I've made it my mission to prove that you don't need to spend a fortune to make unforgettable family memories. In fact, with a little flexibility and some clever planning, it's often cheaper for my family of four to jet off abroad than to holiday right here in the UK. While others are booking pricey cottages or UK resorts, I'm tracking flight deals, exploring European holiday parks, and uncovering little-known ways to stretch the family budget without compromising on fun. Because for us, holidays aren't about luxury, they're about connection, culture and quality time together. Whether we're eating street food in Greece or camping on the French coast, I've learned one universal truth: kids don't care how much you've spent. They care that you're there. And with that mindset, here's how we make European getaways cheaper than a British break, and how you can too. 1. Rethink holiday parks abroad Start by finding cheap flights from your nearest airport (you can use The Travel Mum website for this). Once you've landed a bargain flight, look for nearby holiday camps. Don't be put off by the word camp, most offer mobile homes with air conditioning, pools, kids' activities, arcades and more. We've got a few lined up along the south of France this summer, and I'll be sharing the trip on Instagram stories. These sites offer so much more than a basic UK caravan park, often for a fraction of the price. 2. Use last-minute holiday finders If you've got nerves of steel, tools like TUI's Last Minute Holiday Finder can land you incredible deals. Sure, planning in advance lets you spread the cost, but if you're flexible on destination, you could bag a full-package break for less than a long weekend in Cornwall. 3. Try house-sitting Want to travel without paying for accommodation? Housesitting could be your answer. We've stayed across Europe for free by looking after people's homes and pets, from dogs and cats to house rabbits, lizards and even alpacas! It's not for everyone, but it can save you hundreds if you're happy to take on some light responsibilities while enjoying a local experience. 4. Travel before the school holidays start If your kids can miss a day or two of school, departing just before the official break can save you hundreds. You won't be fined for the odd day off, and this small shift can make a big difference to your budget. 5. Use the right cards abroad A lot of people overlook this, but it's a big one. Avoid transaction fees by using a travel debit or credit card. Many offer near-perfect exchange rates, which means more for your money. It's one of those small swaps that makes a big impact over the course of a trip. 6. Sign up for deal alerts Get ahead of the game by joining mailing lists (like The Travel Mum!) to receive handpicked flight and holiday deals straight to your inbox. The best bargains often don't last long, so it pays to be ready to act fast. 7. Final thoughts We've done luxury. We've done budget. And honestly? The best memories, the laughter, the adventures, the real moments, have almost always come from the simpler trips. So, if you're weighing up a £1,200 weekend in somewhere like Wales, Devon or Cornwall versus a £900 week in Spain with pools, sunshine, and new experiences? You know what I'll be choosing. Travel smart, travel often, and don't let the idea of 'abroad' scare your wallet.

BBC gameshow already has fans obsessed and declaring it 'the new Traitors'
BBC gameshow already has fans obsessed and declaring it 'the new Traitors'

Metro

time2 days ago

  • Metro

BBC gameshow already has fans obsessed and declaring it 'the new Traitors'

To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video The BBC has launched Destination X, a brand new travel game show helmed by Rob Brydon that already has fans hooked. Touted as the 'adventure of a lifetime', the high-stakes competition has a lucrative jackpot of £100,000 for the contestants who can answer the all-important question – 'when in the world am I?' The Gavin and Stacey star hosts this new reality format as 13 contestants are piled onto a bus with blacked out windows and fed clues to figure out exactly where they are. At the end of each episode, the player who has the furthest guess is eliminated, meaning your Year 8 geography lessons may finally come in handy! The BBC has a strong track record for compelling reality TV with shows like The Traitors and Race Across the World (both of which have been compared to this new one), drawing in millions of loyal viewers. Now it looks as though Destination X is set to join their ilk. The first episode aired on BBC One yesterday, with the first two on BBC iPlayer for the audience's viewing pleasure. Want to get all the latest news and predictions for the best and most dramatic show this new year? Join our The Traitors WhatsApp channel for live episode coverage, behind-the-scenes gossip and a place to recover from all the cliffhangers. Simply click on this link, select 'Join Chat' and you're in! Don't forget to turn on notifications! The show has already made quite the impression on viewers who have become just as invested in the journey through Europe as our contestants who must mark X on the map (and hope for the best). 'Destination X is brilliant, right up my street,' Lee Scott wrote on X. 'Omg I'm absolutely hooked… flipping brilliant program,' Miriam agreed. 'OBSESSED!!! Well done BBC, perfect show! Mix of Traitors and Race Across The World,' Callum Turner declared. Jeff Day called it an 'excellent opening episode' while youngy2mark shared it was 'fantastic TV… The new Traitors'. 'Confused. Addicted. And simultaneously finding a lot of the contestants quite attractive. Yep, Destination X is definitely the new The Traitors,' Rory Cashin agreed. It's a sentiment echoed by the Gavin and Stacey host himself who said: 'I've never done a TV show on this scale before. 'I loved the idea of it, the combination of having to work out clues as to where you are and having to get on with each other. It struck me as the best bits of The Traitors with the best bits of Race Across the World.' Although not everyone was as captivated, with one fan, Christabel, calling it a 'bit too complicated and boring' and Pink Giraffe agreeing it was 'a bit of a slog'. Needless to say, expectations have been high — but have they been met? Not quite. At least not yet. I've seen the first three episodes, and while the start is rougher than an eight-hour delay at Euston in a heatwave – only to find you're stuck on a train with Nigel Farage – it does start to show signs of promise. The further down the road we go, the more promise the format shows. Tears are shed, stakes rise, the twists are meaty, there's a rug pull that's genuinely quite shocking, and by episode three, my interest had definitely piqued. Hopefully, enough viewers stay on board long enough to feel the same. You can read the full review here. As the entire show is a guessing game, the audience can even play along at home with the chance of winning the grandest prize of all – 'bragging rights about their geographical guessing skills.' The BBC has created a Destination X game site where you log in using your iPlayer account login. From there you can guess alongside the live episode of through catch up. Just like the real-life contestants can compete for hints, those playing at home will also be given the chance at two mini games which will unlock further clues to the coveted geographical location. 'One sees them test their knowledge of Europe across five travel trivia questions. The other shows users an image of a famous landmark, and asks you to locate it on a map,' the BBC's website explains. You can access the site here. Destination X airs every Wednesday and Thursday on BBC One at 9pm. The first two episodes are now available to stream on iPlayer. In total, the show (which also has a successful US version hosted by Jeffrey D Morgan) kicked off with 13 contestants. These include: 23-year-old Economics graduate Ashvin; surf school director Ben, 42; Historian Chloe-Anne, 27; retired detective sergeant Claire, 51; and taxi driver Darren, 52. Dawn, 33, is a care assistant who is hoping to win with her 'slightly sneaky side' while 62-year-old crime writer Deborah warns you have to have your 'wits about you'. More Trending The competition also features 23-year-old James, an e-commerce manager from Manchester and pilot Josh, 26, who is hoping to use the money to expand his flying skills. Judith, 27, is a nuclear engineer from Bristol and Madhi, 22, is a content creator from London hoping to try his luck at the game. Finally, we have endurance athlete Nick, 35, who is ready to 'stab people in the back' to get his hands on the cash and marketing executive Saskia, 25, who describes herself as a 'determined, dedicated and devoted'. View More » From the get-go there are plenty of twists and turns (literally) for our contestants to grapple with – will they all have the stomach to deal with it or will motion sickness (and the game) get the better of them as they trundle along? Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Watch this terrifying film tonight – it might change your life MORE: Supernatural thriller fans insist 'give it a chance' after BBC drops 16 episodes MORE: RuPaul's Drag Race star rushed to hospital after 'homophobic' attack at Tesco

Waverley set for 'rare' trip around Arran next month
Waverley set for 'rare' trip around Arran next month

The Herald Scotland

time4 days ago

  • The Herald Scotland

Waverley set for 'rare' trip around Arran next month

The special sailing will allow passengers to experience the full coastline of Arran from the unique perspective of Waverley's decks. The ship will allow those on board to take in the 'breathtaking' coastal scenery, mountainous landscape to the north and the picturesque villages dotted along the coastline on one sailing. The ship will cruise past the remote northwest coast with views of Goatfell, Glen Sannox and Lochranza before steaming past Lamlash Bay, passing close to Holy Isle with its ancient heritage and aroudn the southern coastline where passengers will also be able to spot the pear-shaped island of Pladda and its historic lighthouse, which was first lit in 1790. Read More Waverley honoured with water cannon salute to mark major milestone Captain Dominic McCall, Waverley's Master, is excited to take the steamer around the isle as he said: 'The Steam Round Arran sailing is always a highlight both personally and professionally. Waverley's circumnavigation of the island is one of the most unique cruises in the Glasgow & Clyde Coast Summer timetable, offering a rare chance to see the island in its entirety from the sea. 'The coastline offers ever changing scenery and some of the most dramatic views anywhere in Scotland. I already know which way round the island we'll go this year, but I'll be keeping that as a surprise until the day. It's something for passengers to look forward to.' Passengers who decided to go on the sailing will be able to board the Waverley at Glasgow with the paddle steamer departing at 9.45am before returning by coach from Largs at 9.15pm. It will also pick up at Greenock, departing at 11.30am and returning by coach at 9pm. The final two pick ups will be at [[Largs]] at 12.55pm before returning at 7.30pm and Keppel Pier at Millport at 1.15pm and returning at 7.45pm. The final people on board at Brodrick will join the boat at 2.30pm before returning at 6.30pm. The special sailing takes place as Waverley reaches the halfway point of its 2025 summer season to mark 50 years of sailing in preservation. Earlier this year, the major milestone was celebrated with a water cannon salute by tug CMS Thundererer. The salute took place near Oban on Tuesday as a mark of respect for Waverley's remarkable preservation journey and as a warm welcome back to the west coast of Scotland. Waverley, the World's last seagoing paddle steamer, has been preserved thanks to the continued dedication of passengers, supporters, volunteers, and organisations over five decades. Clyde Marine Services has played a vital role in her preservation, regularly providing tug support, including for dry dock operations. Waverley's 50th year in preservation officially begins with a special thank you sailing on May 22 for invited guests, recognising those who have played a part in keeping her sailing since she was famously gifted for £1 in 1974.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store