SS Freshspring Trust

Home
United Kingdom
Bideford
SS Freshspring Trust

Historic steamship based in Bideford, North Devon. Run by educational maritime charity working to bring the vessel back into operation.

Volunteering opportunities available. Open to public on Sundays April-Oct. Hosting special events & workshops in 2024 SS Freshspring was intended to carry fresh water to warships at dockyards and naval anchorages. The intention of the Trust is to return the Steamship Freshspring to sea going condition. Once operable, she will be unique in being the last small steam cargo ship in existence. She will be active in UK waters visiting different ports where she will be open for visitors / school groups etc. She will also offer exclusive cruises and provide practical training for potential engineers and seafarers of the future. The Steamship Freshspring Society is a charitable incorporated organisation (CIO) and was entered on the Register of Charities on 7 May 2013, with the charity number 1151907. The charity is based in North Devon, though our membership extends all around the UK and the world.

07/10/2026

🎃 All aboard for some Halloween fun! Join us on SS Freshspring in Bideford on Friday 30 October, 11am–3pm, for a FREE family fun day with a teddy bear hunt, face painting, fancy dress and more! 👻

04/10/2026

It's another beautiful day in Bideford as we prepare for our last Sunday open day of 2026 today. We're open from 11am to 4pm, with last entry at 3:30pm

Our last open day of the year will be Friday 30th October for our Half Term Halloween Pirates and Witches day

02/09/2026

Today we got the air compressor system running. Safety anti-whiplash straps in position and a minor leaky joint fixed. First thing to try with the air was the ships ho**er. Here is it running at 75 psig. It echoed across the Torridge valley. Now to experiment on other items.

01/09/2026

Air Compressor Update - We now have a working air compressor system. The air receiver with its relief valve have been officially tested and certified good for 11 barg (165 psig) and the Lister engine has been fitted with a shiny new stainless steel exhaust silencer. It takes quite a while to charge the receiver as its only a small single stage compressor. The inteconnecting pipe is good for 200 barg (3000 psig) and also the high discharge temperature seen from the compressor. Once we get hose anti-whiplash safety cords fitted we can try it on some of the ships machinery.

25/08/2026

🚢 What a year for Steamship Freshspring Trust!
Our 2026 Annual General Meeting brought members together to celebrate everything that has been achieved over the past year – and to look ahead to an exciting future.

From inspiring 150+ local schoolchildren through our Young Shipwrights project, welcoming thousands of visitors and continuing the restoration of our historic steamship, to taking important steps towards our long-term ambition of returning SS Freshspring to service, there is plenty to celebrate.

We also welcomed new Trustees to the Board and thanked the incredible volunteers, members, staff and supporters who make all of this possible.

Want to know what’s next for SS Freshspring? Read our AGM article here:
👉 https://www.ssfreshspring.co.uk/pages/news

19/08/2026

A Summer of Busy Days Aboard Steamship Freshspring!

⛴⚓From record visitor numbers and Family Fun Days to pirates, teddy bears, steam trains and even a parrot with attitude, it’s been a wonderfully busy few weeks!

🌞Read all about our summer adventures, our fantastic visitors and the amazing volunteers who make it all possible.

**Read the full story here:**
[https://www.ssfreshspring.co.uk/pages/news](https://www.ssfreshspring.co.uk/pages/news)

And keep watching this space 🎃🎃Halloween aboard Freshspring is coming!🎃🎃

18/08/2026

🏴‍☠️🚢 It's Pirates Day on SS Freshspring – TODAY! 🚢🏴‍☠️

Looking for something to do with the family today? Come aboard SS Freshspring between 11am and 4pm for our final Family Fun Day of the year!

⚓ Explore the historic ship
🧸 Teddy Bear Hunt
🎨 Face Painting
🎵 Live Music
🏴‍☠️ Pirate-themed fun for all ages

Fancy dress is encouraged, so grab your pirate hat, eye patch, striped shirt or parrot and join the crew for a swashbuckling day of fun!

🎟️ FREE ENTRY 📍 SS Freshspring, Landivisiau Walk, Bideford ⏰ Today, 11am–4pm

Bring the family along and help us make our final Family Fun Day of 2026 our best one yet. We can't wait to welcome you aboard!

12/08/2026

🚂⚓ Full Steam Ahead for Freshspring!

We had a fantastic day at The North Devon Festival of Transport on Sunday, 9th August 2026, at Victoria Park, Bideford.

Our miniature steam engine Edna was busy giving rides, while the Freshspring stand and steam launch Duet attracted plenty of interest.

The day also brought a 2026 record number of visitors aboard SS Freshspring, with 119 people – 89 adults and 30 children – crossing the gangway! 🎉

A huge thank you to the organisers, our volunteers and everyone who came along and supported us.

👉 Read the full story on our website:
https://www.ssfreshspring.co.uk/articles/full-steam-ahead-for-freshspring-at-the-north-devon-festival-of-transport

The North Devon Festival of Transport returned to Bideford on Sunday 9 August, filling Victoria Park and the surrounding area with an impressive collection of classic vehicles, vintage transport and attractions – and proving to be a record-breaking day for SS Freshspring too.

04/08/2026

It has been collected...

If you left a bag on Freshspring today, Tuesday 4th August, please phone 07708891723.

Address

Landivisiau Walk
Bideford
EX392BX

Opening Hours

11am - 4pm

Website

http://www.ssfreshspring.co.uk/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when SS Freshspring Trust posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Museum

Send a message to SS Freshspring Trust:

Want your museum to be the top-listed museum in Bideford?