The Waverley, the world's last seagoing paddle steamer, is now open for visitors to experience the thrill of travelling onboard the steamship. As the sole survivor of it's kind, the ship has become an icon- and it is coming to Wales in just a few weeks time for people to experience the thrill of it themselves.
The Waverley is registered on The National Historic Fleet as being a vessel of pre-eminent national significance and has operated in preservation since 1975. It has become a “national treasure” carrying over 6 million passengers.
It will be cruising the Bristol Channel in June for the first time in five years docking at Penarth, Porthcawl and Tenby from June 2 to 18 this summer, making stops at Newport, Milford Haven and go around Swansea Bay, the Gower coast, Caldey Island and St Brides Bay. It will be the first time the steamer visits Tenby in 30 years.
Read more: You can sail from Wales on the world's last sea-going paddle steamer the Waverley this summer
The steamer will also offer a wide variety of cruises from Clevedon, Portishead, Weston, Minehead and Ilfracombe. It sounds like it is going to be a memorable experience for anyone hopping onboard- so we wanted to get a sneak peek of what visitors were in for.
Here are a few pictures of what it looks like on the inside:
There all sorts of nooks and crannies for people to enjoy the ship from different perspective, including a range of bars.
Visitors can even watch the steam engine start to drive the ship’s massive paddle wheels and view the stunning coastline.
You can step back in time and enjoy the traditional dining saloon and period lounges.
There is also a souvenir shop where you can purchase an exclusive memento of your cruise aboard.
The Waverley has a fascinating history, and was built to replace a previous vessel of the same name that was sunk during the Dunkirk evacuation in 1940. The ship spent many years operating as a passenger ferry on the Firth of Clyde in Scotland.
Originally built in 1947, the Waverley has a rich history and has since been lovingly restored. The steamer's massive paddle wheels are powered by a mighty steam engine, which visitors can watch in action during their trip, and in the 1970s, the ship was rescued from the scrapyard by a group of enthusiasts who formed the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society.
To relaunch her sailings on the Bristol Channel there are several special offers, with kids fares from £1, over 60s can 'Bring a Friend Free’ on June 13, and NHS workers can claim a 15 per cent discount when booking in advance at waverleyexcursions.co.uk.
Read next:
Temperatures to reach 20°C in Wales this weekend - but not for long
Porthcawl's Coney Beach funfair to close as Welsh Government purchase land for redevelopment
12 of the best dog-friendly walks in Wales that you'll love as much as your pet
Five epic Welsh road trips you'll want to start planning straight away
