Waverley welcomed over 500 passengers aboard for her sailing from Ipswich to London on Saturday 23rd September. This was her first Ipswich to London sailing since 2000. Here are some pics taken along the way:

Waverley A/S at Ipswich

Passengers coming aboard at Ipswich

After sailing under the Orwell Bridge Waverley cruised down the river Orwell towards the port of Felixstowe before heading on out to sea.

Half ahead on the nicely polished engine room telegraph

The Orwell Bridge recedes astern

And so on down the River Orwell

Passengers were given the opportunity to step ashore for about an hour at Clacton.

Waverley A/S Clacton Pier. It is not the easiest pier for berthing with the tide running across the landing stage and for much of the tidal cycle either setting the ship hard onto or hard off the pier depending.

Another shot of Clacton Pier

Then it was on up the Thames to London passing Southend, Gravesend, Tilbury and under the Queen Elizabeth Bridge at Dartford before reaching the Thames Barrier which is now in view ahead.

Follow the green arrows

On past Peter Mandelson’s Dome on the port bow

Under Tower Bridge

To berth at Tower Pier

And so ended a very happy and successful day.

A big thank you to everyone who supported this sailing on Waverley and particularly to the Associated British Ports team at Ipswich.

Several of Waverley’s Thames sailings from London are now fully booked.

Advance booking is recommended for all available sailings. Check out the timetable above and:.

Book online at waverleyexcursions.co.uk or call 0141 243 2224 (Mon-Fri 0930-1630).

And remember we are still fund raising for the second phase of Kingswear Castle’s major rebuild. To find out how you can help click here: Support Us – Kingswear Castle