P.S. Waverley Thames Cruise to Tower Pier

Tower bridge opening

A few weeks ago, I received an exciting e.mail from Silver travel advisor, a website for the mature traveller.  I learned that I had won a twinkling Thames cruise aboard the paddle steamer Waverley and a night bed and breakfast at the Croydon Hilton in the monthly draw. The prize was provided by Just Go Holidays

PS Waverley

The paddlesteamer at sea.
This is a stock photo as we enjoyed a night time cruise

 PS Waverley claims to be the last ocean-going paddle steamer.  She was launched in 1946 to take passengers for cruises on the Scottish lochs. Her name comes from a novel by Sir Walter Scott.  Originally she was owned by the LNES railway company and provided excursions for rail passengers to Scotland. However, these excursions became less popular as more people bought cars and train travel went out of fashion.

PS Waverley is now owned and operated as a charity by a preservation trust who have lovingly restored her.  They take her around the British Isles, spending the Spring in Scotland, before moving down to Liverpool and later the West country before sailing on the Thames in the Autumn.  My husband sailed on her about fifty years ago when she was much newer but this was my first time onboard.

Saturday

We opted to make our own way to the hotel in Croydon. I had never stayed in a Hilton hotel before as  I normally opt for budget travel and was not sure what to expect. The hotel was very good but not as swanky as I expected. I was quite glad I was not spending my own money.  Coffee in the bar was £4.00 a cup and wine £8.00 a glass.   I was able to catch up with an old school friend who lives in Croydon for coffee before we met the rest of the coach party.  We were taken by coach to Graves End where we  embarked on PS Waverley for our evening trip up the river Thames to  central London

The Thames estuary has been transformed in recent years and is now home to several hundred seals and even this month a beluga whale. I was hoping to see some marine life but was unlucky.  We opted to have a meal on board and were able to eat a very good curry while sailing past the docks at Tilbury.  We then had a chance to look at the well polished and beautifully maintained engines before going out on deck to listen to a commentary on the sites of London.

I was amazed at the size of the Thames flood barrage and pleased to see Greenwich and the Cutty Sark.   We also sailed past the Millenium dome now the O2 arena and Canary wharf.  The cruise ended at Tower Pier.

People onboard P.S. Waverley watching the London skyline
Watching the London skyline from PS Waverley
photo William Fraser

Tower Bridge was opened so PS Waverley could sail underneath which made us feel quite important.

Passengers onboard PS Waverley watching Tower bridge opening
They opened Tower Bridge so we could dock at Tower Pier.
photo William Fraser

Sunday

After a night at the hotel and a very good full English breakfast, we went by coach to central London.  We met our son who teaches in London and strolled around Hyde park admiring the variety of birdlife including the noisy parakeets, waterfowl and herons.  The three of us enjoyed traditional wood cooked Pizza at the Serpentine restaurant which I thoroughly recommend.

The cafe has indoor and outdoor seating and overlooks the water.
We enjoyed traditional wood cooked Pizza while watching the Waterfowl on the Serpentine
Just a goose waiting to be fed
Geese by the Serpentine
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20 responses to “P.S. Waverley Thames Cruise to Tower Pier”

  1. We love sailing down the Thames and recently did Richmond to Hampton Court. This looks great.

  2. It’s a shame your hotel stay wasn’t quite up to your expectations but that boat trip sounds great. I’d love to see London by night from the water, especially Tower Bridge!

  3. What a lovely experience! You can’t beat a cruise on the Thames especially if it’s on an old paddle boat looks like you had a fab time!

  4. That looks fabulous! I might be wrong, but I’m sure the Waveney has done trips across the Bristol Channel between south Wales and north Devon

  5. Wow you really were a wimmer. Look how great the lovely London skyline looks from that boat cruise, just wonderful xx

  6. Looks like a fun cruise and better given it was won! I wouldnt have been able to drink much wine in the hotel at £8 a night though!!

  7. What an amazing experience to win!! Also love the look of that Serpentine restaurant, very snazzy architecture and a wonderful position to enjoy the surrounding scenery and water. Thanks for sharing your adventures on the Waverley 🙂
    Caz xx