The Kathleen & May was built in 1900 at Ferguson and Baird's Yard at Connah's Quay near Chester, for Captain John Coppack of Coppack Bros. and Co., one of the town's leading ship-owners. Since then this historic schooner has passed through many hands and now has a long and interesting history that has taken it from its launch, through to finally being moored at the Brunswick Wharf next to the Royal Hotel in Bideford.

As the vessel has now been fully restored to its original splendour, it is the only wooden triple-masted sailing schooner still in existence, and one of only 60 famous tall ships on the UK's National Register of Historic Vessels.

During the summer months the Kathleen & May is open to the public,

Next to the Kathleen & May is the visitor centre, which offers an insight into the vessel itself and the route it took to finally end up in Bideford. With memorabilia regarding Bideford’s maritime heritage and informative information about the schooner and a guided tour, this is great location to visit.