How many seaside piers in uk

The very soul of the British seaside is up for grabs. Jon Bounds told MailOnline Travel: 'We thought of our memories of seaside of holidays kind of realised that experience and the seaside we knew when we were growing up was fading away a little bit, so w e set ourselves a task to visit all the piers in England and Wales. Boutique offering: Jon loved Southwold Pier for its quirkiness and because it didn't feel over-commercialised.

Grand dame: Brighton Pier is packed with traditional games and entertainment that reflect its Victorian heritage. While the Birmingham travellers were considered somewhat eccentric by some locals, they also discovered a lot of communities working hard to save their Victorian piers. Jon said: ' Hastings Pier was closed when we visited but had a grassroots campaign to get it up and running.

We spoke to the guys at the Pier Trust and they shared our worry about past and our heritage disappearing. Hastings is one of the seaside towns that is campaigning to regenerate its pier, which was built in and celebrated its heyday in the , before becoming a unique music venue in the s.

But it closed in Grand plans: Hastings has raised millions of pounds to help restore its pier. Cultural centre: The aim is to celebrate Hastings' Victorian heritage and create a new community space on the seafront.

Jon told MailOnline Travel: 'Sometimes the piers felt like they merged into one, but there are really so many different types, from unique little piers to grand commercial ones.

Brighton Pier is probably the nicest of those. It's not a commercvial thing tacked onto the end of a seafront. Eastbourne Pier is another classic Victorian seaside pier. It dates from the s but like all of Britain's piers has been reburbished several times since. Sea and fire damage were the main reasons for repair. Attractions include an amusement arcade and nightclub as well as various restaurants including fast food, fish and chips and a Victorian tearoom and cafe.

The pier has appeared as a location in films and TV series. Llandudno Pier in Llandudno is the longest pier in Wales. Llandudno had a small, wooden pier constructed in shortly after the railway arrived, but it was replaced in with the current one. At 2, feet meters in length, it is the longest pier in Wales and the fifth-longest in England and Wales.

Here in days gone by steamers to the Isle of Man would leave. The pier is constructed of wrought iron lattice girders resting on cast iron columns, and decked with wood which has been replaced several times. Musical performances took place in a bandstand at the head of the pier, but were moved to the Pier Pavilion constructed at the entrance to the pier in Entry to the pier is free, and from the end of the pier there are great views looking back on the Llandudno seafront and the Great Orme , the majestic headland that rises to the west.

There are still the occasional sailings to the Isle of Man, and visits by historic steamships like the PS Waverley. The pier is also a popular spot for anglers, but for most visitors it is simply the promenade that is the draw. As well there are numerous shops selling a variety of products including some classic souvenirs. Ryde Pier in Ryde on the Isle of Wight is the world's oldest seaside pleasure pier. It first opened way back in Ryde Pier Head Station is at the sea end of the pier and connects with Wightlink fast catamaran ferries to Portsmouth.

At the land end of the pier is Ryde Esplanade Station. Both stations are on the Island Line to Shanklin on the east coast. Another pier on the island is at Yarmouth. The pier's wooden piles are in constant need to replacement every years. Southend Pier in Essex is a classic British pier. It is also the longest pleasure pier in the world at 2. The Southend Pier Railway that runs the length of the structure was also the first pier railway in Britain.

The recent Southend Pier Royal Pavilion now hosts art exhibitions and other events. The pier also incorporates a fishing platform if you prefer to catch your own supper. Opening times : Open daily 10ampm in summer see the website for other times of year.

Although relatively short at just under ft, the pier at Cromer packs a lot in, including an RNLI lifeboat launch, a bar and restaurant. But the star of the show is the seat Pavilion Theatre. Opening times : Pier open daily 10am-5pm, see website for restaurant and show times. In the old days, maroons went up and the whole town knew a boat was in distress.

Now volunteers are privately paged. All of a sudden a dozen men are sprinting along the pier. In summer, it can be difficult with the crowds. Try a new destination for your next short break — all these alternative European locations are within easy reach. The best Great British piers: plan a day out at the seaside Back to Travel tips. Piers can take you back to bygone times — tread the boards this summer with a visit to one of these seaside icons.