Piers, which are an iconic part of the British seaside, date back to the early 19th century and provide a heritage and tourism asset in to coastal towns.
With more than 50 open to the public, England's Coast, a new coastal information and booking tool highlights these.
Recent research from the National Piers Society has revealed that over 90% of respondents thought piers were an important part of seaside heritage and added to the atmosphere of seaside resorts.
Some of the most interesting and iconic piers across the English Coast include :
Clevedon Pier, Somerset
Built in 1869, Clevedon Pier is the only Grade 1 listed pier still standing in the UK and was described by poet John Betjeman as "the most beautiful pier in England".
Located on the eastern shore of the Severn Estuary in the seaside town of Clevedon, it was originally constructed to attract tourists and to provide a ferry port for rail passengers to South Wales.
It faced demolition in 1970, when two of its spans collapsed during stress testing, but local fundraising and heritage grants allowed it to be restored and reassembled, reopening in 1989.
Now safely standing once again, it offers a popular attraction for tourists - anglers enjoy using it, and paddle steamers still call at the pier head.
www.englandscoast.com/en/listing/clevedon-pier
Southend-on-Sea Pier, Essex
Southend Pier, the longest pleasure pier in the world, which was built in 1889 and extends 1.33 miles into the Thames Estuary.
It is home to the first pier railway in the country, and plans are currently in place to launch new pier trains that are environmentally friendly in summer 2021 to be powered by lithium battery.
The Pier Pavilion and Cultural Centre, made from recycled timber, is host to theatre productions and art exhibitions.
www.englandscoast.com/en/listing/southend-on-sea-pier
Cromer Pier, Norfolk
A Grade II listed pier in Cromer, on the north coast of Norfolk, this pier was originally built as a jetty in 1822 and has undergone various redesigns over the years.
As a jetty, it became popular for promenading, and a keeper was employed to keep order – rules included ladies having to 'retire' by 9pm.
It has won the Pier of the Year award twice by the National Pier Society and is home to a Pier Theatre, which hosts the only remaining summer 'end of the pier' variety show.
www.englandscoast.com/en/listing/cromer-pier
Blackpool Piers
Blackpool is the only town in the UK with three piers.
The oldest, Blackpool North, was built in 1863 by Eugenius Birch, the most prolific and celebrated pier engineer.
With a wide strolling deck, theatre and pier-end carousel, it has retained much of its original Victorian architecture.
Central Pier, built in 1868, was designed after the success of the first, but with a new emphasis on fun rather than the genteel.
It provided dance halls, roller skating, fairground rides and amusement machines, since adapted to become a theatre and bars.
The South Pier, formerly called the Victoria Pier, opened in 1893, and is today a family-friendly venue with live entertainment, a beer garden and amusement arcade.
www.englandscoast.com/en/listing/blackpool
Brighton Palace Pier
The most-visited pier in Britain, with five million visitors per year, Brighton Palace Pier is often called 'the Queen of Piers'.
It opened in 1899 at a cost of £27,000 to build, with 3,000 lights illuminating the pier on its opening night.
www.englandscoast.com/en/listing/brighton-palace-pierUseful links
