Clevedon Pier Facts for Kids

For the album by Andy Davis, see Clevedon Pier (album).

Quick facts for kids
Clevedon Pier
The pier from Clevedon seafront
Type	Victorian Pleasure Pier
Carries	Pedestrians
Spans	Estuary of the River Severn
Locale	Somerset, England
Owner	North Somerset Council
Longest span	Eight 30-metre (100 ft) arched spans
Total length	310 metres (1,020 ft)
Width	5.0 metres (16.5 ft)
Clearance below	4.3 metres (14 ft) (high water)
Opening date	1869
Listed status	Grade I listed
Toll	Adults £3.70, Children (4-15yrs) £2.50, Family (2 adults + up to 3 children) £10.00. Children under 4 free.
Coordinates	51°26′36″N 2°51′48″W / 51.4432°N 2.8632°W / 51.4432; -2.8632

Clevedon Pier is a beautiful pier located in the town of Clevedon, England. It sits on the eastern side of the Severn Estuary. A famous writer, Sir John Betjeman, once called it "the most beautiful pier in England." In 2001, it was given a special Grade I listed building status.

The pier was built in the 1860s to attract visitors. It also served as a place for people to catch ferries to South Wales. The pier is 312 m (1,024 ft) long. It has eight sections supported by strong steel rails. These are covered with wooden planks, and there is a building at the very end.

Clevedon Pier opened in 1869. For nearly 100 years, people used it to board paddle steamers for fun trips. In 1970, two sections of the pier broke during a test. People thought it might have to be torn down. But local people raised money and got help to save it. The pier was taken apart, fixed, and put back together. It reopened in 1989. Ten years later, it was named "Pier of the Year." Today, it's a popular spot for visitors and for fishing.

Where is Clevedon Pier?
The Pier's Story
How the Pier is Built
Photo gallery
See also

Where is Clevedon Pier?

Clevedon Pier

The pier reaches out from Clevedon's seafront into the Severn Estuary. This estuary separates South West England from South Wales. Near the pier entrance is a small building called the Toll House. This is where you pay to enter the pier. It's right next to the Royal Pier Hotel.

The beach at Clevedon has pebbles and low rocky cliffs. The rocks here are part of a special geological site. This area is interesting because of its unique rock formations and minerals. You can find parking for the pier on the road above the rocky beach.

The Pier's Story

The pier around 1880

Building the Pier

In the Victorian era, Clevedon became a popular seaside resort. More people could visit thanks to new train lines. Many English seaside towns built piers in the 1850s to attract tourists. Clevedon's pier was also planned to be part of a route from London to South Wales. People would cross the Severn Estuary by steamer.

In 1866, a company was formed to build the pier. Construction began, costing £10,000. The engineers were John William Grover and Richard Ward. Hans Price was the architect. Iron pillars were put in place by a company from Liverpool. The pier's legs were made from old steel rails. Wooden planks formed the walking surface. By early 1869, the pier was finished.

Opening and Early Days

The pavilion at the end of the pier

Clevedon Pier officially opened on March 29, 1869. There was a parade, music, and even a cannon salute!

After 1886, fewer train passengers crossed to South Wales. This was because the Severn Tunnel opened, connecting England and Wales underground. However, paddle steamers still visited the pier. Ships like the Waverley and Ravenswood took passengers on trips around the Bristol Channel.

In 1893, the pier's end section was rebuilt with cast iron. A new timber landing stage was added. The pavilion building at the end of the pier was finished in 1894. The Toll House at the entrance was also designed by Hans Price. In 1899, a storm washed away some of the pier's wooden decking. In 1910, another storm damaged the landing stage. It was replaced with a concrete one in 1913.

The pier remained popular between the World Wars and into the 1960s. Steamers like the PS Bristol Queen (1946) and PS Cardiff Queen (1947) often visited.

The Collapse

On October 16, 1970, sections 7 and 8 of the pier collapsed. This happened during a stress test. These tests were done to make sure the pier was safe. Heavy tanks of water were placed on the pier to check its strength. The first six sections passed the test. But when the tanks were moved to the seventh section, it broke. This caused the eighth section to fall too. The pier head and its pavilion remained standing.

Bringing the Pier Back to Life

Pier from the toll house, showing replaced boards and side seating

After the collapse, people formed the Clevedon Pier Preservation Society in 1972. They wanted to save the pier. In 1979, the local council wanted to tear it down. But a public meeting decided it should be kept. The pavilion buildings were moved ashore in 1982 for safekeeping.

A big step forward happened in 1984. English Heritage and the National Heritage Memorial Fund gave a lot of money for the restoration. Other groups also helped. The pier was taken apart in 1985. Its pieces were sent away to be fixed. Then, it was put back together in 1986.

Local people worked hard to raise money for the pier. Even Sir John Betjeman supported them. Some money was raised by "sponsored planks." People could pay to have their names on small brass plaques on the pier's wooden planks. The pier's main sections were rebuilt by May 27, 1989. It reopened with great excitement. The pierhead itself was still closed. It finally reopened on May 23, 1998, thanks to more funding.

In 1999, Clevedon Pier was named "Pier of the Year." It also won a Civic Trust Award. In 2001, it became a Grade I listed building again. It is one of only two piers in England with this special status.

Today, the landing stage at the end of the pier is used by the PS Waverley and MV Balmoral (1949) steamers in the summer. It's also a popular place for angling (fishing). There's a cafe at the pierhead and a souvenir shop at the toll house. The pier is open every day except Christmas Day. Clevedon Pier has even been featured in movies and music videos!

How the Pier is Built

The pier is next to the Royal Pier Hotel; the beach in front is a site of special scientific interest

The pier is 312 m (1,024 ft) long. It stands 48 ft (15 m) above the water at high tide. Each of its eight sections is 100 ft (30 m) long. The legs are made from special steel rails. These rails are joined together to make a strong support structure. The supporting piles are made of cast iron. They are 2 ft (0.6 m) wide at the seabed. About 370 tons of iron were used to build the pier.

The Severn Estuary has some of the biggest tides in the world. The water level can change by up to 48 ft (15 m)! This means the pier's legs are mostly visible at low tide. They are covered by water at high tide. The landing stage at the end of the pier has several levels. This allows boats to dock safely no matter how high or low the tide is.