Classic Boat Festival Returns

St Katharine Docks in London is set to host the Classic Boat Festival this September, with more than 70 registered vessels—its biggest gathering to date. The event brings together boats spanning maritime eras, from the Dunkirk Little Ships and WW2 classics to wooden sailing barges and restored narrowboats dating back to the 1930s. Tom Cunliffe will return for 2026, holding court on Sunday at 1pm. The highlight is the restored RNLI and Dunkirk Little Ship “Guide of Dunkirk,” rebuilt by Abbey Molyneux after years of restoration work. Other featured vessels include the barge Raybel, Sir Alec Rose’s “Lively Lady,” and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee barge Gloriana.