THE iconic paddle steamer the Waverley will make a return to Minehead next week for the first time in several years.

The Waverley, the last seagoing paddle steamer in the world, has not cruised the Bristol Channel since 2018.

It will dock in Minehead Harbour on Saturday, June 10, bringing hundreds of visitors to the town, some of whom will also spend time travelling on the West Somerset Railway during its diesel gala weekend.

The Waverley will also visit Minehead on Thursday and Friday, June 15 and 16, with a heritage railway trip included on the Thursday.

Minehead BID Manager Karen Morledge said she was delighted the Waverley was returning to Minehead this year after a long absence due to the Covid pandemic and for operational reasons.

The visit comes after a lot of behind the scenes work by BID’s chairman Graham Sizer and the Waverley’s general manager Paul Semple.

Ms Morledge said: “Dates have been agreed, promoted by the BID, Visit Minehead, and Waverley Excursions, following the announcement that they would be berthing in our harbour.

“The return of the Waverley here has proven to be very popular, with most tickets selling out incredibly quickly.

“However, I would encourage people to visit Minehead just to see the spectacular steam ship, particularly on Saturday, June 10, to coincide with the West Somerset Railway’s gala event and to enjoy the steam bus BID has commissioned to be in town.

“As usual with the steam bus, Hercules, Shaun ‘Woody’ Robins and his team will be taking passengers in the trailer around the town for free, but donations are, of course, welcome.

“I would also like to thank Somerset Council for their support with berthing the Waverley on the harbour in Minehead for her visits, which will enable many hundreds, if not thousands, of additional visitors ashore to increase spend for our businesses on the seafront and town centre.”

The Waverley is cruising the Bristol Channel from June 2 to 18 following a £2.3 million refurbishment which saw new steam boilers installed.

Thanks to a successful £180,000 public appeal to meet annual dry docking fees, the ship’s charitable owners decided this year to offer the Waverley’s most extensive sailing programme for more than a decade.

The steamer was built in Glasgow for the London and North Eastern Railway and launched on October 2, 1946, entering service in June, 1947.

Waverley has carried more than six million passengers since 1975 and first visited the Bristol Channel in 1979 in the wake of the famous White Funnel Fleet of pleasure steamers which operated until the 1960s.

Today, only the Waverley offers pleasure steamer trips from South Wales to the popular North Devon resort of Ilfracombe.

Mr Semple said: “I am delighted that Waverley will make her much anticipated return to the waters of the Bristol Channel.

“The ship offers a truly unique experience and I know many will welcome the sight of her famous red, white, and black funnels and the distinct sound of her paddles beating.

“To relaunch her sailings on the Bristol Channel there are several special offers to take advantage of with kids’ fares from £1, over-60s can ‘Bring a Friend Free’ on June 13 and 15, and NHS workers can claim a 15 per cent discount when booking in advance at www.waverleyexcursions.co.uk.

“I am delighted with the hugely positive response since we released the timetable and opened bookings.

“There is a clear demand for Waverley to reunite with the Bristol Channel.”

During the programme of cruises, the Waverley will also offer trips from Penarth and Swansea to the remote Lundy Island.

A highlight of this year’s schedule will see the Waverley returning to Tenby, in Wales, for the first time in more than 30 years.

The final cruises take place from Milford Haven on Sunday, June 18, with a unique opportunity for those aboard to cruise round Skokholm and Skomer, and Ramsey Islands.

Tickets for all sailings can be booked online at www.waverleyexcursions.co.uk or by calling 0141 243 2224.