- Birnbeck Pier is in Somerset, England.
- Derelict, Grade II* — restoration in progress
- Check access, weather and local guidance before travelling.
About Birnbeck Pier
Birnbeck Pier is a Grade II* listed pier linking the mainland to the island of Birnbeck, the only pier in Britain that ends on a true island. It has been closed and derelict for years, but a long-running restoration project is bringing it back to life.
The story of Birnbeck Pier
The pier was opened in 1867, designed by Eugenius Birch and built to connect the mainland to Birnbeck Island, which had been developed as a pleasure ground. It was the only pier on the Bristol Channel where steamers could call at all states of the tide, making it a busy excursion terminus. The pier declined after the Second World War as steamer trade dried up, and it closed to the public in 1994. A series of fires in 1991, 1996 and 2008 damaged the structure. In 2019, Birnbeck Pier Regeneration Trust was established to stabilise and restore the pier, and works are ongoing.
Visiting with care
The pier is currently closed to the public for safety reasons while restoration work proceeds, but it can be viewed from the promenade at Weston-super-Mare and from the coastal path. Follow the Birnbeck Pier Regeneration Trust for news of reopening and open days.
Interesting facts
- The only pier in Britain that terminates on a true island — Birnbeck Island.
- Designed by Eugenius Birch and opened in 1867.
- Grade II* listed, recognising its exceptional architectural importance.
- Closed since 1994; the Birnbeck Pier Regeneration Trust is leading restoration.
Getting there
Parking and access details — check locally for the latest information.