Nearest Piers United Kingdom
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 United Kingdom activity.
- 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.
- The Brighton West Pier, opened in 1866. Now derelict and neglected for many years, the future hangs in the balance, its only chance of survival depending upon English Heritage’s alternative and less costly proposal to restore the pier back to its original 1860s appearance, without the theatre and concert hall. Due to the weather the appearance of the pier is constantly changing and may not reflect the pictures in the gallery.
- The pier opened in 1885. Includes restaurants, shops, amusements with children’s cars and rides.
- Weymouth Pier Bandstand originally consisted of a raised deck area with glazed shelters along both sides, leading to a semicircular Bandstand. After the main pier was demolished all you now have is the entrance that looks out of place.
- The Clarence Pier pavilion, Southsea. Opened in the 1960s and part of a funfair complex, the pavilion contains an amusement arcade, Bingo hall and food outlets.
- Worthing Pier is a traditional seaside pier that opened on 12 April 1862 and sits in the middle of the beach front at Worthing The pier today has the Pavilion Theatre and Cafe situated at the land end of the pier,whilst in the middle is the 1935 amusement arcade and the southern end pavilion has a cafe & venue.
- The Grand Pier at Weston-super-Mare in north Somerset has an indoor pleasure park on the pier. Having been twice destroyed by fire, most recently in 2008, the pier underwent a major refurbishment programme and reopened to the public in 2010. Visitors today can enjoy free admission and there’s something for everyone to take part in whether it’s the arcade, one of the rides, go-karts, dodgems and much much more. Choose from a wealth of different food and drink outlets on-site. The pier is open all year round.
- 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.
- The pavilion is the only remains of Southampton’s Royal Pier.
- Work on the Eastbourne pier began on 16 April 1866 and it was opened by Lord Edward Cavendish on 13 June 1870, although it was not actually completed until two years later. On New Years Day 1877 the landward half was swept away in a storm. It was rebuilt at a higher level, creating a drop towards the end of the pier. The pier is effectively built on stilts that rest in cups on the sea-bed allowing the whole structure to move during rough weather. It is roughly 300 metres (1000 ft) long. During World War II the decking was removed and machine guns were installed in the theatre providing a useful point from where to repel any attempted enemy landings. The pier features a camera obscura which existed in Victorian times but was restored in 2003. A number of traditional pier theatres were built over the years but after the last one was destroyed by fire in 1970 it was replaced by a nightclub and bar which remain to this day. On the landward half of the pier stands a fish and chip kiosk, an amusement arcade and a fast food outlet. Further out as well as the club there is a cafe, a restaurant, shops and fishing platform. The tower at the end of the pier (often used as a viewing point during the annual air show) contains one of the earliest camera obscuras ever made. In May 2009 the Listed building status of the Pier was upgraded from Grade II to Grade II*
- The Royal Pier in Aberystwyth is a pleasure pier. Aberystwyth Pier was the first pier to open in Wales in 1865, but after a series of storms, it is now a much shortened version at 91 metres (299 ft), originally it was a length of 242 metres (794 ft).
- The pier build started in 1852 and was opened in July 1953 and was originally twice the current size but due to a fire in the later 1920’s half was destroyed. The name of this pier is thought to originate from the half an old penny toll charged and the pier was a popular departure point for paddle steamers until the First World War.
