This incredible value trip will take us from the Blackmore Vale where we will travel to the seaside town of Southend. On arrival we will first enjoy a 2 course meal at the Rooftop Restaurant of the Holiday Inn Southend. This is only rooftop Restaurant and Bar in Southend – the 1935 Rooftop Bar offers amazing views of the surrounding Essex countryside and perhaps watch a plane or two take off from Southend Airport!

After lunch we will join The Waverley Paddle Steamer at around 4:15 pm.

This trip will be the grand finale cruise for the Waverley on its London season. Departing from Southend Pier we will take a trip up the Thames to see Tower Bridge lit up at night arriving at London Tower Pier at 8 pm to meet the Coach before travelling back to the Blackmore Vale area.

Waverley is the world’s last seagoing paddle steamer. In 1974, at the end of her working life, she was famously gifted for £1 to the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society. Waverley Steam Navigation Co. Ltd., a charity registered in Scotland, was set up to own and operate the ship. Waverley then began a second career as one of the country’s best-loved tourist attractions. Since she has been in operational preservation, she has been awarded four stars by Visit Scotland, an engineering heritage award, and has carried over 6 million passengers from over 60 ports around the UK.

2003 saw the completion of a £7m Heritage Rebuild which returned Waverley to the original 1940s style in which she was built. 2017 marked 70 years since Waverley’s maiden voyage on June 16, 1947 and in May 2020 she was relaunched after the boilers were replaced.

Included:

• 3.5 hour trip from Southend to London Tower Pier on The Waverley Paddle Steamer
• Complimentary drinks on the coach when feasible
• Drop off at Southend and return travel from London Tower Pier
• Packed lunch

Depart Stalbridge: TBC
Return Stalbridge: 22:30 approx

All itineraries are approximate and subject to change