Kingswear Castle
Britain's last steam powered river paddle steamer

100th Anniversary
1924 - 2024

Sail on
Kingswear Castle

Kingswear Castle will celebrate her 100th anniversary year with sailings between mid June and September 2024.

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.

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Built in 1924 for service on the River Dart in Devon between Dartmouth and Totnes, Kingswear Castle was withdrawn in 1965.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

Kingswear Castle returned to service in 2023 after the first part of a major rebuild. We are continuing to fund raise for the second phase.

Find out how you can help with this to secure her future for the next twenty five years.

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.

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.

Articles to enjoy
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101 years ago

10th October 1922:
Portsmouth/Ryde

On Tuesday 10th October 1922 there were 13 round trips by paddle steamer scheduled to run between Portsmouth and Ryde. First away from Portsmouth with the run put on specially

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62 years ago

9th October 1961:
Bristol Queen

Monday 9th October 1961 unexpectedly turned out to be the last day of the season for Bristol Queen. This was not originally planned as she had already competed her scheduled

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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.

Articles to enjoy
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