Town Pier, Gravesend facts for kids
Gravesend Town Pier
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| Official name | Gravesend Town Pier |
|---|---|
| Type | Boat passenger pier |
| Carries | Pedestrians |
| Spans | Thames River |
| Maintained by | Gravesham Borough Council |
| Design | William Tierney Clark |
| Construction | William Wood |
| Owner | Gravesham Borough Council |
| Total length | 39 metres (127 ft) |
| Width | 12 metres (40 ft) |
| Coordinates | 51°26′43″N 0°22′11″E / 51.4454°N 0.3697°E |
The Gravesend Town Pier is a very old and important pier. It is located in Gravesend, Kent, England. This pier was designed by William Tierney Clark and built in 1834. It stands where an older dock, called the Town Quay, used to be.
This pier is special because it is the oldest surviving pier in the world made mostly of cast iron. It is also a Grade II* listed building, which means it is a very important historical site.
Contents
The Story of Gravesend Pier
How it Was Built
The Gravesend Town Pier was designed by a clever engineer named William Tierney Clark. A builder named William Wood helped construct it. It opened in 1834.
Busy Times and Quiet Times
When the pier first opened, it was very popular. Between 1835 and 1842, more than 3 million people used it! They likely traveled by boat. However, around 1900, fewer people used the pier. This was because trains became a popular way to travel.
Bringing the Pier Back to Life
In 2000, the Gravesham Borough Council decided to fix up the pier. Many groups helped pay for this work, including English Heritage and the Heritage Lottery Fund. The renovation project finished in 2002. They even added a restaurant and a bar to the pier. When it reopened, many people visited, but it didn't make much money in the long run.
What is it Used For Now?
Since 2012, the Gravesend–Tilbury Ferry has been running from the Town Pier. This ferry takes people across the Thames River.
The Pier in Pop Culture
The Gravesend Town Pier is even mentioned in a song! It is the setting for the 2017 song "Gravesend Pier" by a band called Gone Molly. The song talks about life in England in the 1800s.
