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

The Collection has been formed over a period of 50 years and contains over 27,000 objects covering the development of paddle and pleasure steamers that once plied between seaside resorts. The Collection though continues to reflect the pleasure steamers that are operated today by the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society: Waverley, Balmoral and Kingswear Castle.

Material in the Collection is rich and diverse ranging from the wheel of the Princess Elizabeth, telegraph from the Consul, and a richly decorated Dining Saloon chair from the Clacton Belle. It also includes thousands of photographs, handbills, models, souvenirs and ephemera showing well-loved paddle steamers of the past.

The Collection is an amazing resource for researchers interested in maritime history, local or family history or those that just want to rekindle happy memories of a day at the seaside aboard a paddle steamer!