A seaside pier is a long, narrow platform that extends out over the sea, typically from the shoreline of a beach. Today, they are a popular tourist attraction and often feature amusement arcades, food and drink vendors, entertainment and other leisure facilities. Also, don’t forget the stunning coastal views you get from being jutted into the sea, as they offer panoramic vistas of the coast, beaches, and nearby towns.
Piers can vary in length and design, but they are typically made of wood or steel and are supported by pilings or columns driven into the sea bed. In the United Kingdom, seaside piers have a long history dating back to the 19th century, when they were first built to provide Victorian tourists with easy access to the sea and often a place for stream ships to dock. Today, many piers are listed as historical or heritage structures protected by law due to their part in British coastal heritage.
There are many piers in the United Kingdom, and here is a list of some of the more well-known piers:
- Brighton Palace Pier – a historic pier in Brighton, East Sussex
- Southend Pier – the longest pleasure pier in the world, located in Southend-on-Sea, Essex
- Blackpool Pier – three piers located on the Blackpool seafront, Lancashire
- Weston-super-Mare Pier – situated in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset
- Clevedon Pier – a Grade I listed structure located in Clevedon, Somerset
- Eastbourne Pier – a Victorian pier in Eastbourne, East Sussex
- Bournemouth Pier – situated in Bournemouth, Dorset
- Southport Pier – a pier in Southport, Merseyside
- Southwold Pier – situated in Southwold, Suffolk
- Mumbles Pier – located in Mumbles, Swansea, Wales
Visiting a UK seaside pier is a great way to experience traditional British seaside culture, enjoy various entertainment, and take in stunning coastal scenery.
This is just a small selection of the many piers in the UK, and you can explore them all using our interactive Pier Map.