[2] The ship was built in 1949 by Philip & Son of Dartmouth, Devon, UK as the MV Berry Castle for the River Dart Steamboat Co Ltd (RDSC).

MV Berry Castle was used on the company's River Dart services from Dartmouth and Totnes in South Devon.

During her time in Plymouth she gained additional enclosed accommodation in the form of a large deckhouse on the former open deck behind her wheelhouse.

[2] On 6 December 2015 Lady Wakefield suffered damage while moored at Pooley Bridge pier during Storm Desmond.

On 12 May 2016, MV Lady Wakefield was rolled back into the water after being beached for five months, and docked for repair.