For my mum’s birthday I booked a day trip on the Waverley Paddle Steamer, the last sea-going paddle steamer in the world! We left mid-afternoon from the end of Southend Pier, arriving at Tower Bridge in London just after sunset.
The Waverley was built on the Clyde in Scotland and was launched in 1947. After a long career she was bought for £1 in 1975 by the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society. She now makes regular pleasure trips around the UK throughout the year, which includes trips along the Thames.
It was fascinating to see the coastline and famous landmarks from a fresh perspective.
Tilbury Docks unloading a container ship…
The Queen Elizabeth II Bridge…
A view of the Docklands skyline in the distance…
The Thames Barrier…
The Millenium Dome…
Our first glimpse of the Shard and the City skyline at sunset…
Behind us was this stunning view of Canary Wharf, all lit up…
The Thames has many twists and turns on the approach to Tower Bridge, which can be very disorientating! Around the final bend we approached Tower Bridge, which opened to enable us to pass through…
…and under…
Wow! What a view!
Thank you Waverley. Until next year…