Garth Pier facts for kids
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| Official name | Garth Pier |
|---|---|
| Carries | Pedestrians |
| Spans | Menai Strait |
| Locale | Bangor, Gwynedd, Wales |
| Design | J.J. Webster |
| Owner | Bangor City Council |
| Total length | As built: 1,550 feet (470 m) Current: 1,500 feet (460 m) |
| Opening date | 14 May 1896 |
| Toll | 50p per person (20p concessions) |
| Coordinates | 53°14′18.58″N 4°7′26.76″W / 53.2384944°N 4.1241000°W |
Garth Pier is a famous pier located in Bangor, Gwynedd, Wales. It's a special building, listed as Grade II*. This means it's very important and protected.
The pier stretches out into the water for about 1,500 feet (457 meters). This makes it the second-longest pier in Wales. It's also one of the longest piers in the whole of the British Isles!
Building the Pier
The pier was designed by an engineer named J.J. Webster from London. It was built using strong cast iron columns. The rest of the metal parts, like the handrails, were made from steel.
The walking path on the pier is made of wood. Along the pier, there are several cool octagonal (eight-sided) kiosks with roofs. There are also street lights to guide the way. At the very end, there's a special landing area called a pontoon. This was used for pleasure boats that took people on trips.
A Look Back: History of the Pier
Garth Pier first opened to the public on May 14, 1896. A special ceremony marked its opening day.
Originally, the pier had a small railway track. This track was used to move luggage for people getting on and off the boats. However, this railway was removed in 1914.
The pontoon at the end of the pier was very busy. It was a stop for large pleasure steamers. These boats carried passengers to places like Blackpool, Liverpool, and the Isle of Man.
In 1914, a cargo ship called the SS Christiana broke free during the night. It crashed into the pier and caused a lot of damage near the middle. This created a gap. Soldiers from the Royal Engineers built a temporary bridge to fix it. This temporary bridge stayed until 1921 because of World War I. By then, even more damage had happened, and repairs took longer than expected.
Saving the Pier
In 1971, the pier had to close because it was not safe. In 1974, a local council took over the pier. They decided to tear it down!
But the Bangor City Council disagreed. They fought to save it. They managed to get the pier listed as a Grade II building. This protected it from being demolished. An expert even said it was one of the three best piers left in Great Britain.
In 1975, the Bangor City Council bought the pier for a tiny amount of money – just one penny! Then, in 1982, a big renovation project began. A company called Alfred McAlpine worked on it. The repairs took a long time, finishing in 1988. Many groups helped pay for the work, including the National Heritage Memorial Fund. The pier was officially reopened on May 7, 1988.
The Pier Today
Today, Garth Pier is listed as Grade II*, which is an even higher level of protection. You can walk onto the pier for free. However, there's an "honesty box" where people are asked to donate 50 pence. This money helps pay for the pier's care.
In the summer, the pier gates stay open until 9 PM. You can even go night fishing if you book ahead!
Because of where it is, the pier is a great spot for birdwatching. When the tide is low, many seabirds come to find food in the mud of the Menai Strait. You can often see birds like oystercatchers, redshanks, curlews, little egrets, and sometimes even cormorants.
The small kiosks along the pier are rented out to local businesses. You can find popular cafes there. There are also artist studios and a shop selling gear for crabbing and fishing. One kiosk used to be used by a women's organization called the Soroptimists. You'll also find seats along the pier, including memorial benches dedicated to famous people.
In August 2017, it was announced that the pier needed more big repairs. These repairs would cost about £1 million. The pier hadn't had major work done since the 1980s. The Bangor City Council is paying for this work.
At first, the pier stayed open during the repairs. But in June 2018, a report said the very end of the pier was unsafe. So, that part was closed temporarily. Most of the pier is now open again. However, finishing the work on the pier head is still ongoing due to higher costs. Good news! In March 2021, the pier head finally reopened to the public.
For a long time, dogs were not allowed on the pier. But after a trial period, the rule was changed. Now, dogs are welcome!
