A registered charity founded in 1959, we have about 2,500 members and through our associated charitable companies we operate the only two working paddle steamers in Great Britain; PS Waverley and PS Kingswear Castle.

The Society also supports other paddle steamer projects including PS Maid of the Loch and PS Medway Queen.

Without the PSPS there would no longer be the opportunity to sail on a Paddle Steamer in Great Britain.

Our aims are:

• to preserve paddle steamers in sailing condition;
• to educate the public in the historic significance of paddle steamers in the Nation’s maritime and industrial heritage;
• to acquire, preserve and exhibit a collection of equipment and material associated with paddle steamers.

The PSPS has members across the world with five branches covering Great Britain. Each branch organises regular talks, social and special events throughout the year. Please click on a branch below for more information.

Charity no. SC037603

Charity no. 298328

PSPS Collection

A small selection of Waverley handbills held in the PSPS Collection.

The Paddle Steamer Archive Collection is administered by the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society and forms the largest and most complete archive of material relating to paddle and pleasure steamers in the UK.

The Collection contains over 50,000 items relating to the development of the paddle and pleasure steamers that plied the coasts of the UK from the 1850’s to the present day.

Forthcoming National Events

• National

  Apr 1Friday

  Kingswear Castle's Rebuild Phase 1Online EventJohn Megoran presents an illustrated account of the first phase of Kingswear Castle’s rebuild, and outlines the work and funds required for the remaining two phases.

“A Peep into the Past” on-line was introduced to mark the 50th anniversary of the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society’s journal “Paddle Wheels”. You can view the story of paddle steamers and the Society through the pages of “Paddle Wheels” starting with the very first issue here.