PEERLESS PIERS
NIGEL THOMPSON takes a stroll along the Victorian promenades for a look at some of the best-loved seaside treasures of Britain
IS ANYTHING more evocative of the classic salty, breezy staycation seaside than a pier? From the caw of the wheeling gulls overhead and the spinning pink drums of candy floss to the waft of fish and chips and rattle of coins in the penny falls, these Victorian wonders are as British as it comes.
Often first built to accommodate ferry or steam passengers, now they’re national treasures and still very much a national pleasure.
Here, we celebrate our pick of the UK’S peerless piers...
Britain’s answer to LA’S iconic Santa Monica pier? Quite possibly so.
It started out in a typical genteel Victorian way with a 1,500 seat theatre at the seaward end with smaller pavilions for dining, smoking and reading.
A winter garden was added before the First World War, followed a year later by a steamer landing stage.
Little happened to it until 1973, when a barge involved in the demolition of the unused landing stage hit the pier causing much damage.
New owners in the 80s dismantled the theatre and added a Ferris wheel, with a fire in 2000 destroying some rides.
By 2007 it was thriving with new thrill rides and a food court. In 2016 it changed hands again, with the new owners reverting the name to ‘Brighton Palace Pier’ from the unpopular ‘Brighton Pier’
Today it’s rated as one of the UK’S top 10 Instagram spots and a vibrant success. As its website says, “it’s so much more than just breathtaking views, rides and attractions.’’
brightonpier.co.uk
PLENTY OF FRONT: Dunoon in Argyll has real charm. Brighton, top, is rated as a big Instragram spot, while Southend, inset right, is the longest in the world
SOUTHEND, ESSEX
The world’s longest pleasure pier has a colourful 190-year history with various fires, wartime military service and being split in two after being hit by a ship but it’s still going strong and long.
The first wooden section opened in 1830, with the current iron replacement debuting in 1890 and featuring an electric railway. An extension opened in 1898, giving it the global status.
Much improved in the 21st century with new and refurbished facilities, it draws more than 320,000 visitors a year for a stroll or clanking rail trip deep into the gaping maw of the Thames Estuary and further investment and new trains are planned by the council.
southend.gov.uk
A charming Highlands resort town on the Cowal Peninsula has an equally charming pier. Originally constructed to handle paddle-steamer traffic from Glasgow, it has a striking entrance building with red-tiled roofs and detailed timber in chocolate,
SEA FOR YOURSELF: From left to right, Southwold Pier has suffered both storm and war damage, while Ryde, Britain’s oldest pier, opened in 1814. Blackpool Pier cream and yellow. By early 2010, the condition of the pier buildings had deteriorated and locals feared it would have to be demolished.
However, the council owners committed to its restoration and now it’s back to its former glory and a popular tourist attraction.
argyll-bute.gov.uk/home
SOUTHWOLD, SUFFOLK
Length: Initially 810ft now 623ft Opened: 1900
Status: Unlisted
Like Southend, Southwold has something of an eventful history with a 1934 storm destroying the T-shaped head, a Second World War mine causing damage and a 1955 gale isolating the seaward end, which washed away. Another storm in 1979 reduced the length to 150ft.
A major refurbishment started in 1999 and by 2002 the T-shaped end was returned making the length 623ft and allowing steamers to visit.
Today’s highlights include the
Pier View bar for, well, fab pier views and the highly-rated, unique and eccentric Under the Pier Show, which features the weird and wonderful interactive inventions from genius engineer Tim Hunkin.
southwoldpier.co.uk
RYDE, ISLE OF WIGHT
Length: Initially 1,740ft now 2,305ft
Opened: 1814
Status: Grade II
Britain’s oldest pier has been growing since 1814 with several extensions and expansions, including a tramway pier in 1864 and then a railway pier in 1880.
The 20th century saw the wooden piles gradually replaced with iron, then a rebuilding in concrete followed by closure of the tramway.
As any rail aficionado will tell you, the trains are 1938 London Underground rolling stock, though they are due to be replaced with more modern units
visitisleofwight.co.uk
BLACKPOOL CENTRAL, LANCS
Length: Originally 1,518ft now 1,118ft
Opened: 1868
Status: Unlisted
Originally founded as the South Pier, it changed its name when the Victoria (now South) Pier opened. The length was reduced when a jetty was demolished in the 1970s.
Known as the People’s Pier, it was renowned for its entertainment particularly open-air dancing and theatre. Today’s boisterous offering is a little less highbrow with a Ferris
IRON WILL: Second-longest Southport has the oldest iron pier
boasts the world-famous donkeys and Bangor is undergoing a four-year refurbishment plan wheel, funfair and tribute show, plus pirate-themed family bar where there’s ‘a vast’ amount of swashbuckling mayhem.
blackpoolpiers.co.uk
SOUTHPORT, MERSEYSIDE
Length: Initially 3,600ft now 3,633ft
Opened: 1860
Status: Grade II
The second-longest pier in Britain after Southend, it’s also the oldest iron pier and one of the first with a tram.
Like its Essex cousin, there have been difficult moments with storm and fire damage over the decades and it fell into disrepair and subsequently shut.
Now it’s been refurbished with a “funland” entrance and more entertainment facilities planned, including underwater webcams to view marine life.
What’s not changed over the last 160 years are the grand views of the North Wales coast.
visitsouthport.com
BANGOR GARTH, GWYNEDD
Length: Originally 1,550ft Now 1,500ft
Opened: 1896
Status: Grade II
You’ll take a shine to this silvery sliver in the Menai Strait which originally served steamers from Liverpool, Blackpool and the Isle of Man, and was saved from demolition in the 1970s and reopened in 1988.
More financial difficulties in the 2010s have been overcome and a four-year refurbishment is nearing completion.
This is not a pier for dodgems, instead there’s a handful of good local food and drink stalls and impeccable views of the Strait as you walk out and Snowdonia’s peaks on the skyline on the walk back.
bangorpier.org
WESTON-SUPER-MARE, NORTH SOMERSET,
Length: Initially 1,080ft Now 1,200ft
Opened: 1904
Status: Grade II
The builders of Weston’s second pier had grand ideas with a 2,000-seat pavilion that staged opera, music hall, ballet, Shakespearean plays and, slightly less refined, boxing.
A 1,500ft low water extension with a landing stage was added in the early 20th century but little used because of dangerous Bristol Channel conditions and demolished during the First World War. Amusements were added in 1926 but destroyed by fire soon after. The 90s saw the addition of a bowling alley and Ferris wheel but again a disastrous fire broke out in 2008.
From the ashes, the current pier reopened in 2011 and has been a popular TV filming location and is back drawing bumper crowds with numerous attractions including ‘Britain’s smallest roller coaster’.
grandpier.co.uk
CROMER, NORFOLK Length: 500ft Opened: 1901 Status: Grade II
The North Sea has not been kind to Cromer’s piers. A 210ft jetty was built in 1822 and washed away in 1843 to be replaced, two years later, with a 240ft structure, which was struck by waves again in 1890.
Today’s iron pier has been hit by storms in 1949, 1953, 1976, 1978, 1990 and 2013 but still stands proud and its Pavilion Theatre hosts the only full season end-of-the-pier show in the world, playing to delighted full houses. Reputedly, there are ghosts too – of an impresario and a murdered actress.
Don’t take our word for how fine this pier is. Bradley Walsh started his career working on summer shows here in the 80s and last year described it as the “greatest place on the planet”.
cromerpier.co.uk
For more information on Britain’s see piers.org.uk
GREAT: Cromer’s Pavilion Theatre hosts the only full season end-of-the-pier show on earth