Find the nearest Piers
When we think of a traditional seaside town most of us automatically think of the Victorian pier. Our Piers category brings all Coast Radar’s listings related to the traditional seaside pier together, where most now offer family entertainment and places to eat.
Finding the best things to see and do on a day out with your family or friends is easy – simply explore the piers links below, hit the jump to my location button or use the search bar to plan your next UK and Ireland activity.
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- Beaumaris Pier, opened in 1846, was designed by Frederick Foster and comprises a masonry jetty continuing out into the Strait on wooden and concrete pilings. After srorm damage in 1872 the pier was re-built and extended to 570 feet and a pavilion was constructed at the end which contained a cafe. It was once the landing stage for steamships of the Liverpool and North Wales Shipping Company. In the 1960s, through lack of maintenance, the pier became unsafe and was threatened with demolition, but local yachtswoman and lifeboat secretary Miss Mary Burton made a significant private donation to ensure the pier was saved for the town.
- Bournemouth Pier is at the heart of the Bournemouth sea front with various attractions, amusements, boat trips, restaurant, cafe, bar and fishing decks. Originally built in 1856 as wood, rebuilt with iron and then as concrete this has been around for generations. Small charge applies for access to help with the upkeep. Dogs are allowed on to the pier but not allowed in some of the attractions.
- Wellington Pier in Great Yarmouth on the Norfolk coast is an entertainment complex with an amusement arcade, bowling alley and casino hall. The 700ft wooden pier was first opened in 1853. Today it offers a range of attractions for all the family. There is a gift shop, café and bar on site. More details: www.wellington-pier.co.uk
- Hythe Pier stretches 700 yards (640 m) from the centre of Hythe to the deep water channel of Southampton Water. It is approximately 16 feet (4.9 m) wide, and carries a pedestrian walkway and cycleway on its northern side, and the track of the Hythe Pier Railway on its southern side. Designed by J Wright, construction of Hythe Pier commenced in 1878 and completed in 1881. Hythe Pier, the Hythe Pier Railway and the Hythe Ferry together provide a transport link between Southampton and Hythe on the opposite side of Southampton Water. This link is heavily used by commuters and shoppers from Hythe, as well as forming an important link in the Solent Way and E9 European coastal paths. Each train on the Pier Railway connects at the pier head with an arrival and departure of the Hythe Ferry. The ferry service carries both passengers and bicycles, and takes about 10 minutes for the crossing.
- Llandudno pier sits at the end of the Llandudno north shore beach under Great Orme. The Pier has ammusements, shops, food outlets and a sea fishing platform at the very end. The pier has original ironwork and a great view back to Llandudno promenade and Great Orme.
- Totland Bay Pier pier was constructed of a light girder framework on cast iron piles and a timber deck in the late 1870’s. Now in a dilapidated state and its long-term future seems insecure.
- Claremont Pier was constructed in 1902/03 and used originally as a mooring for Belle steamers. The pier was designed by D. Fox at 182 m in length and 11 m in width. In 1912, it was extended to a length of 230 m. A storm in 1962 washed a section of it away, reducing its length to 218 meters.
- Designed by the Blackburn engineer R Gale this 1,950ft (591m) pier was intended for the use of passengers traveling to and from the Isle of Wight. In 1904, a serious fire destroyed the structure, reopened in 1908 after a rebuild and now just 600ft (183m).
- Felixstowe Pier is a wooden pier built in 1905 and designed by the Rogers Brothers. The pier extended to a length of 2,640ft (800m) and was little more than a promenade deck, with railings along the entire length, and a T-shaped landing stage at the head. A large pavilion was at the shoreward end. The pier deck had an electric tramway takeing passengers and luggage to the steam boats. The pier was partly demolished for safety reasons and due to lack of funds looks set to disappear in the near future. Note that due to the lack of development plans the state of the pier could change. If anyone has an update please leave a comment.
- The modern pier opened in 1976 replacing the former Victorian pier that was damaged, with the Pier Pavilion now housing a sports complex. The end of the original pier can still be seen 1km out to sea. The victorian pier was the third pier to be built at Herne Bay, opened in 1897. Estimates of its length vary from 1097m to 1147m, putting it second to the one at Southend-on-Sea. Winter storms in 1978 and 1979 caused the collapse of the central section leaving the landing stage as it is now, adrift at sea.
- Cleethorpes Pier, In the late 19th Century Cleethorpes in North East Lincolnshire was becoming a popular resort for those wanting to escape the large industrial towns of Yorkshire and Lancashire. The Cleethorpes Pier was officially opened on August Bank Holiday Monday 1873. The large difference between low and high tide meant the pier needed to be long, some 1,200 feet (370m) in length. The pier comprised a timber deck and pavilion (constructed in 1888), supported on iron piles. During the second world war a section was removed to stop its use in any German invasion attempt.
- Bangor Garth has a pier, which is the second longest in Walesis 1,500 feet (or 472 metres). Constructed largely in steel, with cast iron columns and screw piles, Bangor Pier comprised of a wooden deck punctuated with a series of elegant polygonal kiosks with steeply pitched roofs, ornamental lamps and handrails, and a pontoon landing stage at the head. A 3ft (90cm) gauge railway for baggage handling was also included in the design, but was removed in 1914. The pier was almost demolished in 1974 due to the poor condition but it survived and gained a Grade 2 listed status. With assistance from the National Heritage Memorial Fund, the Welsh Office and the Manpower Services Commission, the fully restored Bangor Pier was reopened by the Marquis of Anglesey on 7th May 1988.
