South Pier, Blackpool facts for kids
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| Official name | South Pier |
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| Type | Pleasure Pier |
| Spans | Irish Sea |
| Locale | South Shore, Blackpool |
| Design | T P Worthington |
| Owner | Peter Sedgwick |
| Total length | 163 yards (149 m) |
| Opening date | 1893 |
| Coordinates | 53°47′44″N 3°03′33″W / 53.7955°N 3.0593°W |
 South Pier
Location in Blackpool
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The South Pier is one of three famous piers in Blackpool, England. It was first called Victoria Pier. You can find it on the South Promenade, right on the South Shore. This pier is packed with fun amusement rides and exciting thrill rides. It opens every year from March to November. The Sedgwick family owns and runs this popular spot.
Contents
Building the Pier: How It Began
When Was South Pier Built?
Work to build the pier started in 1892. A company called The Blackpool South Shore Pier & Pavilion Co. Ltd. was set up in November 1890 to make it happen. The pier cost about £50,000 to build.
How Was South Pier Constructed?
The builders used a special way to construct the pier. It was called the Worthington Screwpile System. This was different from how the North Pier and Central Pier were built. The South Pier opened on Good Friday in 1893. There was a big celebration with choirs, two brass bands, and an orchestra.
What Was the Grand Pavilion?
The Grand Pavilion was a large building on the pier. It could hold up to 3,000 people! It opened a little later, on May 20. The pier itself was 163 yards (149 meters) long. This made it the shortest of Blackpool's three piers. It had 36 shops, a place for bands to play, an ice-cream seller, and a photo booth. The pier was built shorter and wider than the other two to make space for these big pavilions.
South Pier Through the Years
Early Days: A More Relaxed Pier
When it first opened, Victoria Pier was seen as more fancy than the North and Central piers. It didn't have many rides or shows at first. But in 1896, things started to change. A carousel was put on the sand dunes nearby. This made more holidaymakers want to visit the South Shore.
Changes to the Pier's Entrance
In 1902, the south entrance of the promenade was made wider. Because of this, the pier's entrance had to be moved back. In 1930, the pier got a new name: South Pier. Then, in 1938, the entrance was made even wider. A new building called the Regal Pavilion was also built.
Fires and New Buildings
The pier changed a lot after two fires. In 1958, a fire damaged the Grand Pavilion. Then, in 1964, another fire completely destroyed it. A new theatre was built in its place. In 1963, the Regal Theatre at the entrance was turned into an arcade called the Beachcomber Amusement Arcade.
South Pier Today: Rides and Fun
The theatre at the end of the pier was taken down in 1998. In its place, a roller coaster called the Crazy Mouse was built. Today, South Pier has many exciting rides. You can find dodgems, the Crazy Mouse roller coaster, and a Waltzer.
What Entertainment Does South Pier Offer?
The pier also has the Laughing Donkey Family Bar. This place offers live entertainment for families. There's also a Kiddies Ride Arena with rides for younger children.
The Adrenaline Zone: Thrills for Teens
For those who love thrills, there's the Adrenaline Zone. This area has some really exciting rides:
- Skycoaster: This ride is like a giant swing that drops you from 38 meters (125 feet) high!
- Skyscreamer: This is a Reverse Bungee ride that shoots you up into the air.
- Spider Mountain: A tall climbing web that looks like a spider's web.
- Maxibounce: A trampoline where you wear a safety harness and can do acrobatic jumps.
