waverley excursions contact number

Waverley Excursions

Top ways to experience nearby attractions

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Also popular with travellers

Waverley Excursions Guide - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Waverley Excursions

Top ways to experience nearby attractions

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Also popular with travelers

Waverley Excursions - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Waverley Excursions

Location & Hours

Suggest an edit

Waverley Terminal

36 Lancefield Quay

Glasgow G3 8HA

United Kingdom

Finnieston, West End

About the Business

Paddle Steamer Waverley is the last sea-going paddle steamer in the world. Magnificently restored with towering funnels, timber decks, gleaming varnish and brass. See and hear the mighty engines - they will provide a whiff of nostalgia for some but are sure to impress all! Each year, Waverley starts her season sailing amidst the stunning scenery of the Western Isles; she visits the Bristol Channel; spends the summer exploring the West Coast of Scotland before moving to the South Coast of England in September and London and the Thames in October. With Day, Afternoon and Evening Cruises to choose from - bring along friends and family, both young and old, for daytrip to remember. There is something to suit every taste and pocket. …

Recommended Reviews

• 1 star rating Not good
• 2 star rating Could’ve been better
• 3 star rating OK
• 4 star rating Good
• 5 star rating Great

Select your rating

Overall rating

ABANDONED. DANGEROUS COMPANY! 70 people including elderly, disabled and children abandoned in Minehead after an organised trip off the boat. All left for over 2 hours with no contact from the boat after a coach failed to pick everyone up. We're then left to find own way back to Penarth from Minehead at own cost. Absolutely disgusting, traumatising and dangerous. This company should not be allowed to run! Do not book!

A last minute booking on the Thames cruise aboard the Waverley. What a magnificent sight was this paddle steamer berthed by Tower Bridge. Quick cup of coffee, as we were early, before boarding. Even though there 'seemed' a load of people, space was no problem. Plenty of places to sit either on deck or below. The experience started at 9.30 am. As a tug turned this great steamer around and then we were off. Can't beat seeing that great London Tower Bridge being raised. Passing underneath with a courteous blast to say thank you. The trip along the Thames was so interesting and supplemented by the descriptions and interesting facts across the ships speakers. Arrived, dead on time, at 1.30 at Southend pier for our break before returning. Bars and dining rooms were always busy but never a long wait. Why rush anyway. Interesting, as the sun went down, to see the lights along the river. A river I was bought up along all my life and the changes are outstanding. The finale, a lit up Tower Bridge opening. A fantastic day out. Looking forward to seeing The Waverley next year for another, maybe different, cruise. Finally, Thank you to the Captain and all his crew. Everyone worked so hard to make our day special.

Picking us up from Southend pier

Living in a house overlooking the Firth of Clyde in Dunoon for the past two decades, it would be hard to not take notice of the Waverley - the world's last seagoing paddle steamer - as she sails past in the summer time. Living in such a location may sound like paradise to some people, but unfortunately it's quite hard for me to say anything positive about Dunoon having lived here for so long. Whatever your opinion is on Dunoon, undoutedly the best way to get there is by travelling all the way from Glasgow on the Waverley. Not only that, you can travel from Glasgow to locations all over the place - Helensburgh, Tarbert, the Isles of Mull, Bute and Arran to name but a few, taking you through some beautiful scenery along the west coast of Scotland. The excursions naturally run only in the summer months, with the odd exception. I cannot emphasise strongly enough how enjoyable a trip it is though, especially in warm and sunny weather. It was especially enjoyable for me when I sailed to Rothesay, where you get to see the Firth of Clyde from a totally different view than you would just driving along the coast. Being on a paddle steamer - a working one at that - is a truly unique experience. Sitting out on deck on the Waverley is completely different to that on one of the local ferries. For many people, a real highlight is being able to pop downstairs to the engine room - it really is a sight to behold to watch these huge, powerful pistons in action, driving the ship along - even the smell is very evocative. The Waverley is a big ship and includes a lounge, bar and tearoom as well as a large amount of space on deck. It runs just about very day of the summer season as well and is relatively inexpensive, so there's no excuse for not checking it out. All in all, travelling on the Waverley is a truly unique experience and the fact that you can travel on it the whole way up the Clyde right out of Glasgow makes it even more ideal. Superb.

Glasgow is known for its steamers, but this ship is without a doubt the biggest steamer in the city! The Waverley is in fact the biggest and only paddle steamer of its kind left in the world. Built in 1946, it somehow has the attributes of imperialist travelling of the industrial era, and indeed is one of the few existing and working homages to the industry the Clyde has seen over the years. The Waverley rarely operates outside summer season, but should you chance to be in Glasgow when she sails you will be in for a treat. Taking off from just outside the Science Centre, The Waverley cuts the water of the Clyde from Glasgow right down to the Clyde mouth at Kilcreggan, Dunoon, Rothesay and even as far out as Brodick on Arran. It's a wonderul alternative to sightseeing in the region and for locals, it can give a wonderfully new perspective of the city seen from the water. Once you race out of the city, you are hit with a wave of sea air and serenity, making it a great day out for family and friends of all ages. It's a sensational way to see the West of Scotland in all its panoramic glory, and a good way to decipher where the different towns are in the Inverclyde region. There are open decks to sit out on and viewing rooms downstairs where kids stare enthralled at the ship's inner workings. Since The Waverley has become a Glasgow institution over the years she should be marked down on your wishlist when visiting here, and definitely experienced at least once if you live close by. She's now a world famous ship celebrity and we are lucky to still have her on our banks. Since she has not been called off to distant shores I would recommend that people make use of the wonderful day out you experience when travelling down the Clyde on her!

The Waverley coming home, taken from baaker2009's Flickr page

Dwarfed by the QE2, taken from Sea Pigeon's Flickr photostream

This is an amazing experience for all ages and I cannot recommend it highly enough. The boat itself is beautiful and one can only imagine it in its heyday, full of travellers visiting far off places. Today, The Waverley is kept in immaculate condition from the gleaming brass and copper to the neat manicured timbers - and it's all on show - even the impressive engine room with its pistons and valves pumping away. We took a day trip up the Clyde and out past Greenock, Dunoon, Cumbrae and onto Ayr, Girvan and Ailsa Craig - a full 9 hours in total. Despite some lively seas, the boat was very steady and the crew looked after us very well. There is a lovely tea room on board, a full dining saloon and a bar or two as well! One tip, wrap up wam as the best experience is to be up on deck and it can get a bit breezy!!

Since I only ever caught the Waverley for an afternoon trip from Bute, I can't comment on it as anything other than a pleasure steamer. However, I enjoyed being cruised around the islands, moving at a steady pace and feeling far more comfortable than on any modern ship. There is an excitement about catching the Waverley that goes beyond most trips: it is part of history, and I was enthralled when I sat and watched the turbines and pistons work their magic. The best part of the journey was standing in the engine room. Preserved by enthusiasts, the Waverley is one of the few things that shows pride in Glasgow's past: apart from token gestures by the city, there is little that celebrates Glasgow's former shipyards and industry- most of the time, the past is merely something to be plundered and updated. This excursion, however, embraces its elegance and style.

This steamer was due to leave Worthing Pier yesterday, but as per previous outings.it didn't show up!! Apparently skipper decided to remain in Portsmouthdue to breezy conditions!! ? Fair weather sailor!! The last time I booked.the ship never stopped at Worthing! Tried to, but got a fouled lineso all of us that had waited for an overdue ship didn't go anywhere!! How disappointing. Many of us won't bother re-booking..

I've been on the Balmoral three times but only on the crossing from Penarth to Ilfracombe in the Bristol Channel. While the boat is beautifully restored and it's a great way to see the coastline of Wales and England, I thought the trip was overpriced and overcrowded with people each time. I don't know if it's the same on the other cruise routes, or on the sister boat, the Waverley, but I felt there were far too many people allowed on board. It was extremely difficult to find anywhere to sit and moving around the boat was horrible as we jostled with the crowd. Of course, it didn't help that, all three times, the majority was drunk. Most of them started drinking in Penarth before we even got on board and they continued to drink on the crossing in the bar. In Ilfracombe they piled into the pubs getting tanked up for the journey back. On the return trip it was truly awful and we couldn't wait to get off the boat. If you dislike being in a noisy crowd, this is not the trip for you!

The Balmoral in the Bristol Channel

Collections Including Waverley Excursions

Romantic Locations

By gareth v.

I Get Around

People Also Viewed

Renfrew-Yoker Ferry

CalMac Ferries

Govan Free Ferry

Caledonian Macbrayne

Glasgow Central Station Tour

Blackpool Promotions

Kilted Piper Tours

Bowling Railway Station

Other Tours Nearby

Find more Tours near Waverley Excursions

Related Cost Guides

Town Car Service

click here to

your cruise

your Waverley cruise

Plan Your Cruise

• Fares and Brochures
• Events & Special Cruises
• London & Thames Estuary
• South West, South Coast & Isle of Wight
• Bristol Channel & South Wales
• North Wales & The Mersey
• Northern Ireland
• Souvenir Shop
• Useful tips and Safety Information
• Accessibility Information

Waverley offers a wide variety of day, afternoon and evening cruises from over 60 ports and piers in several areas of the UK including Glasgow & the Clyde Coast, Oban & Inner Hebrides, North Wales & the Mersey, the Bristol Channel, the South West, South Coast & Isle of Wight, and London & Thames Estuary.

Timetables will be released and bookings will open sailing area-by-area. Check out the timetables  page for more details.

Sign up to our Newsletter

If you wish to receive the latest Waverley news, advanced information and special offers please sign up for Waverley’s e-newsletter today.

• Luxury Traveller Holidays
• Great Breaks
• Active Traveller
• England South West
• England South & South East
• England Eastern & Central
• England North West
• England Yorkshire & North East
• Channel Islands
• Continental Holidays
• Air Holidays
• Worldwide Holidays
• Cruises & River Cruises
• Single Traveller Holidays
• Relaxed Traveller
• All Holidays
• New and Exclusive
• Showtime Theatre Trips
• Memorable Occasions
• National Trust Discoveries
• RHS Flower Shows & Festivals
• Guided Towns & City Tours
• Historic Houses & Castles
• Royal Residences
• Days at the Seaside
• Boats & River Cruises
• Heritage Railway Nostalgia
• Garden, Parks & Flower Shows
• Shopping Visits
• Family Fun Days
• Express Excursions
• Behind The Scenes
• Back in Time
• All Day Trips
• Scenic Days
• Short Breaks
• Holiday Information
• Boarding Points
• Sale of Travel Insurance
• Gift Vouchers

Waverley Paddle Steamer

Sat 1 Jun 2024: An Online Exclusive Day Excursion to the Waverley Paddle Steamer with Johnsons Coaches

• Detailed Overview
• Pick-up Points

Saturday 1st June 2024

Join us and discover Britain’s coastline on board the World’s last seagoing Paddle Steamer.

Built in 1946, this is the last sea-going paddle steamer in the world. With the help of Lottery funding, this historic ship has been extensively refurbished to the original 1940’s style in which she was built. 2024 marks the 45 years since Waverley first sailed the Bristol Channel and South Wales.

On arrival at Clevedon we join the paddle steamer, 'The Waverley'. There is a range of eating and drinking options aboard to enjoy. Waverley’s Dining Saloon, situated on the Main Deck is open throughout your cruise offering a selection of Soups, Sandwiches & Snacks and full meals are available. Hot drinks, soft drinks and cakes are also available. The Caledonia Tea Bar on the Promenade Deck offers a range of hot and cold drinks, soup, sandwiches, snacks, cakes, and ice cream. The Jeanie Deans Lounge on the Main Deck offers a relaxing atmosphere with excellent views of the passing scenery.

Your day includes :

· One speedy, single departure point here at Henley-in-Arden with free secure car parking

· Return Coach Travel to Clevedon

· Return Cruise from Clevedon via Holm Islands & Penarth (South Wales)

Departing at 10.45am Returning to Clevedon by 2.00pm

· Free time in Clevedon

· Courier service

Please note that you may be required to use up between 1 to 3 flights of stairs before reaching the ship’s gangway.

Price per Person: £72.50

Depart Henley: 8.00am                 Arrive Clevedon: 10.15am

Depart Clevedon: 4.00pm             Arrive Henley: 6.15pm

Below is a list of pick-up points available on this tour.

It is not possible to display the map. This may be due to Google Maps not being supported in your browser.

Pick-up Point Times

If you wish to make an online booking please follow these instructions; 1. Select the number of passengers required to check the availability 2. Click on the shopping trolley icon in the Book Now column (If the trip is unavailable, please use the Call Back facility to enquire about being put on the waiting list for this tour or to explore other possibilities.)

There are currently no departures available on this tour.

The website timed out while searching for the departure dates. Please try again.

Keyword Search

Availability search.

• Travel Insurance
• Privacy Policy
• Cookie Policy

Connect With Us

Waverley Excursions

Top ways to experience nearby attractions

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Also popular with travellers

WAVERLEY EXCURSIONS: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)