Brighton Palace Pier facts for kids
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Brighton Palace Pier in October 2011
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| Official name | Brighton Palace Pier |
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| Type | Pleasure Pier |
| Design | R. St George Moore |
| Owner | Eclectic Bar Group |
| Total length | 1,722 feet (525 m) |
| Opening date | 20 May 1899 |
| Coordinates | 50°48′54″N 0°08′13″W / 50.81500°N 0.13694°W |
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Location of pier in Brighton
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The Brighton Palace Pier, often called Brighton Pier, is a famous pleasure pier in Brighton, England. It's like a long bridge built over the sea, designed for fun and entertainment. This pier is a very important historical building, known as a Grade II* listed structure.
It opened in 1899 and was the third pier built in Brighton. Today, it's the only one still open and welcoming visitors. The pier is managed by the Eclectic Bar Group.
The Palace Pier was built to replace an older pier that had fallen apart. It quickly became a popular spot for shows and entertainment. After some changes, especially in the 1970s and 80s, it became more like an amusement park. Now, it has many fun fairground rides and roller coasters.
The pier is still super popular, with millions of visitors each year. It has even appeared in many British movies and TV shows, like Brighton Rock and Quadrophenia.
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Finding the Brighton Pier
The pier's entrance is right across from the southern end of the Old Steine. This is where the A23 road from London meets the seafront roads. The pier is very long, stretching 1,722 feet (525 m) out into the sea.
It has 85 miles (137 km) of wooden planks! Because it's so big, painting the pier takes three months every year. At night, it shines brightly with 67,000 light bulbs. You can easily get to the pier from Brighton railway station by taking the No. 14 or No. 27 buses.
History of the Pier
Building the Pier: 1891–1970
The pier was designed by R. St George Moore. It was the third pier in Brighton. The first part of the pier was put into place on November 7, 1891. The builders had to agree to take down an older, broken pier called the Chain Pier.
In 1896, a big storm destroyed the Chain Pier. Luckily, its pieces didn't hit the new pier being built. Some parts of the old pier were even used for the new one.
Most of the pier was finished in 1899. It officially opened on May 20, 1899. It was named the Brighton Marine Palace and Pier. Building it cost a lot of money, about £27,000 back then. This included 3,000 lights to make the pier glow.
The pier was an instant hit and became a top spot in Brighton. By 1911, its reading rooms were turned into a theatre. Famous comedians like Stan Laurel and Charlie Chaplin performed there. They practiced their skills before becoming huge stars in Hollywood.
During World War I, the area around the pier was filled with underwater mines. This was to stop enemy attacks. In the 1920s, the pier was made wider. A special clock tower was also added.
The pier closed during World War II for safety. A part of its wooden deck was removed. This was to stop enemies from landing there. After the war, the pier became popular again. It hosted many summer shows with famous entertainers.
Changes and Challenges: 1970–2000
The pier was officially recognized as a Grade II* listed building in 1971. This means it's a very important historical structure.
In 1973, a big storm caused damage to the pier. A large boat broke free and hit the pier's theatre. The theatre was badly damaged and never used again. The part of the pier where boats used to dock was taken down in 1975.
The Noble Organisation bought the pier in 1984. The old theatre was removed two years later. Instead of a new theatre, a big domed arcade with games was built. This changed the pier a lot. The end of the pier became home to many fun fairground rides. These included thrill rides, kids' rides, and roller coasters.
Even with these changes, the pier stayed popular. The Spice Girls even performed there in 1996 before they became super famous!
On August 13, 1994, a bomb was found near the pier. It was safely defused by police. The pier was closed for a few days while police investigated.
The Pier Today: 2000–Present
In 2000, the pier's name was changed to "Brighton Pier." However, many locals and groups still called it the "Palace Pier."
On February 4, 2003, a fire broke out on the pier. Luckily, the damage was small, and most of the pier reopened the next day. Police thought someone might have started the fire on purpose.
In 2004, the pier's owners had to pay a fine. This was because a ride was operated with a missing track piece. Luckily, no one was hurt. The city council also thought the pier was putting too many tall rides on it.
In 2011, the pier was put up for sale. It was expected to sell for £30 million. But it didn't sell right away. In 2016, a new owner, Luke Johnson, bought it. He changed the name back to Brighton Palace Pier in July of that year.
The Palace Pier is still a top tourist spot today. It's especially popular for day trips to Brighton. Even though Brighton has changed a lot, the pier keeps its classic seaside fun. It's a place for traditional "bucket and spade" holidays.
Awards and Recognition
The pier won the Pier of the Year award in 1998 from the National Piers Society. This award recognizes the best piers in the country.
In 2017, a survey found it was the fourth most popular free attraction in Britain. It was also said to be the most visited tourist attraction outside London. Over 4.5 million people visited the pier in 2016 alone!
See also
In Spanish: Brighton Pier para niños
