Kingswear Castle Britain's last steam powered river paddle steamer
1924 - 2024
Sail on
Kingswear Castle
Kingswear Castle returned to service on completion of Phase 2 of her major rebuild on 15th June 2026.
Kingswear Castle is operated on behalf of the Paddle Steamer Kingswear Castle Trust by the Dartmouth Steam Railway and River Boat Company.
Click on the button below to visit the operator’s website for timetable and ticketing information.
Please note that whilst Kingswear Castle runs one hour harbour cruises from Dartmouth on a regular basis she does not run every day. To check if she is running on a specific date please ring 01803 555 872.
History of
Kingswear Castle
Built in 1924 for service on the River Dart in Devon between Dartmouth and Totnes, Kingswear Castle was withdrawn in 1965.
Purchased by volunteers in 1967 who painstakingly restored her to operating condition over ten years, entering service on the Medway and the Thames in 1985.
In 2012 she returned home to the Dart.
Support
Kingswear Castle
As the last British paddle steamer of her type Kingswear Castle continues to provide pleasure and delight to present and future generations more than 100 years after she first entered service.
Following major rebuilds during 2003 and 2006 we are continuing to raise funds to secure her future for the next twenty-five years
Click the button below to find out how you can help.
For information and enquiries regarding tickets, timetables and sailing updates please visit the Dartmouth Steam Railway & River Boat Company website www.dartmouthrailriver.co.uk or call 01803 555 872.
15th June 2026:
KC Returns to Service
KC returned to service in sparkling form on Monday 15th June 2026 after completion of Phase 2 of her major rebuild. The first part in 2023/24 included renewing all the
18th April 2026:
Stadt Luzern Starts Season
The first steamship trip of the season on Lake Lucerne was taken by Stadt Luzern on Saturday 18th April sailing away from Lucerne at 11.12 to Fluelen 14.00 and back
31st March 2026:
Don’t miss KC’s only planned trip to Totnes in 2026
Join Kingswear Castle on Tuesday 8th September 2026 for her only planned sailing to Totnes this year. Kingswear Castle will depart Dartmouth at 3.30pm, call at Totnes 5.15pm, due back
John Megoran recalls the heyday and decline paddle steamers, particularly the Weymouth based paddle steamers that he grew up with. He did not know then that he would go on to help restore, manage and be principal captain of Kingswear Castle for nearly 30 years.
20th June 1955:
Glen Gower
On Monday 20th June 1955 Glen Gower set off from Cardiff (9.45am) for Penarth (9.55am), Barry (10.35am) and Ilfracombe (2pm), where she picked up connections from Bristol (8.45am), Clevedon (9.45am),
20th June 1962:
Consul
On Wednesday 20th June 1962 Consul (ex Duke of Devonshire) was scheduled to leave Weymouth at 10am for a day trip to Swanage and Bournemouth due back at 8.15pm under
19th June 1935:
Royal Eagle
On Wednesday 19th June 1935 Royal Eagle was scheduled to sail from London Tower Pier at 9.20am down the Thames with calls at Greenwich, North Woolwich, Tilbury, Southend and Margate
18th June 1960:
Monarch
On Saturday 18th June 1960 Monarch departed from her usual Saturday schedule in June on the Swanage service to run a special trip to view the Royal Yacht Britannia with
The latest threefour of 0 paddle steamer orientated articles produced monthly by John Megoran, author, manager and principal captain of Kingswear Castle for nearly 30 years on both the Medway and Thames as well as the River Dart.
June 2026:
Capt Arthur Escudier
Among the Weymouth Channel Island officers of the post‑war years, Capt Escudier was not one of the loud ones. He was one of the steady and highly competent ones —
May 2026:
Ouchy Shipyard Open Days
The CGN’s Ouchy shipyard opened its gates to the public on 18–19 April 2026, offering a rare chance to see the engineering, craftsmanship and behind‑the‑scenes work that keeps the Léman
April 2026 Updated 5th April:
More Weymouth Mariners
Looking through copies of the Dorset Echo from days gone by provides a fascinating insight into the ups, downs and other vagaries about Weymouth and its nautical community. The dominant
March 2026:
Paddle Steamer Captain Pensions
To some extent there has been some sort of support for the elderly since Medieval times through family, charity, guilds or the church but it was not until the 19C
