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Built in 1924 for service on the River Dart in Devon between Dartmouth and Totnes, Kingswear Castle was withdrawn in 1965.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.
19th July 1971:
Maid of the Loch
On Monday 19th July 1971 Maid of the Loch was scheduled to leave Balloch (10.30am) for Tarbet (11.55am) and Inversnaid (12.10 – 12.20pm) before returning to Tarbet (12.35pm) and Balloch
18th July 1962:
Medway Queen
On Wednesday 18th July 1962 Medway Queen left Strood as scheduled at 9.15am and Southend at 10.55am for Clacton where she was due to arrive at 1.25pm to take up
18th July 1914:
Majestic
On Saturday 18th July 1914 Cosens’s Majestic, described as “Second to None on the South Coast”, was rostered to run a day trip from Bournemouth to witness a “Grand Naval
17th July 1900:
Balmoral
On Tuesday 17th July 1900 Balmoral ran her inaugural cruise for directors, shareholders and other invited guests from Southampton having arrived from her Clyde builders fresh and sparkling three days
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.
July 2026:
60 Years Since Embassy
Sixty years have now passed since Embassy left Weymouth for the last time, yet she remains one of those ships whose presence lingers long after the vessel herself has gone.
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
