Royal Pier, Aberystwyth facts for kids
The Royal Pier, from Aberystwyth seafront looking south
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| Type | Pleasure |
|---|---|
| Carries | pedestrians |
| Spans | Cardigan Bay |
| Locale | Aberystwyth, Wales |
| Design | Eugenius Birch |
| Construction | hardwood decking on iron piles |
| Owner | Revegate ltd |
| Total length | 242 metres (794 ft) |
| Opening date | 1865 |
| Coordinates | 52°24′57″N 4°05′16″W / 52.4159°N 4.0878°W |
The Royal Pier in Aberystwyth, Wales, is a fun place to visit right by the sea! It was the very first pier ever built in Wales, opening way back in 1865. Over the years, big storms have made it shorter than it used to be. Even so, it's still a popular spot for people to enjoy the views and have fun.
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Building the Royal Pier
In the old days, during the Victorian era, Aberystwyth became a very popular holiday spot. People wanted to visit because it was seen as a healthy place to be. It was even called the "Biarritz of Wales," like a fancy French resort!
Local business people decided to build the pier. They hired a famous pier designer named Eugenius Birch. He worked with local builders to create the pier. It was made with strong iron rods and columns that were set deep into the rocks. Building the whole pier cost about £13,600.
Life of the Pier: Storms and Changes
The pier first opened on Good Friday in 1865. On that very first day, 7,000 people paid to visit! This was also the same day that a new train line opened, bringing even more visitors to Aberystwyth.
Early Challenges
Sadly, just seven months later, in January 1866, a huge storm hit. It washed away about 30 meters (100 feet) of the pier's end. The original owners couldn't afford to fix it, so they sold the pier in 1872.
The new owners rebuilt the lost part, making it about 70 meters (230 feet) longer. They also added a new area at the end with places to get refreshments.
The Grand Pavilion
Later, in the late 1800s, a beautiful glass building called a pavilion was added. It was designed by Gordon Croydon-Marks. This amazing building had three sections with glass domed roofs. The ironwork was decorated in a cool, old-fashioned style called Gothic.
The Princess of Wales opened this grand pavilion on July 26, 1896. It was big enough to hold 3,000 people!
Another Big Storm
On January 14, 1938, another massive storm hit Aberystwyth. The winds were incredibly strong, blowing at up to 90 miles per hour (145 km/h)! This storm destroyed most of the seafront and about 60 meters (200 feet) of the pier. This cut the pier's length in half. Many buildings along the sea were damaged.
Workers then built a protective wall to help stop future storm damage. This work continued until 1940 and cost a lot of money, about £70,000 (which would be like £2.5 million today!).
Repairs and Reopening
Because of World War II, the pier was not rebuilt right away. It was in very bad shape and stayed closed until after the war ended. It was repaired but not made better. By the 1970s, the remaining part of the pier was again in poor condition and had to close.
In 1979, a company called Don Leisure Group bought the pier. In 1986, they spent £250,000 to improve the remaining 91 meters (300 feet) of the pier. They even got permission to build a brand new pier next to the old one, but that project never happened. In 1987, a new snooker hall and a restaurant opened in the refurbished pavilion.
The Royal Pier Today
Today, the Royal Pier is a lively place! It has an ice-cream shop, a pub, a snooker hall, a restaurant, and an amusement arcade. There's even a nightclub for older visitors. It's still a central part of Aberystwyth's seafront, offering fun for everyone.
