- Southend Pier is in Essex, England.
- Grade II — world's longest pleasure pier
- Check access, weather and local guidance before travelling.
About Southend Pier
Southend Pier is the longest pleasure pier in the world, stretching 1.34 miles out into the Thames Estuary. A railway runs its full length, carrying visitors to a deep-water pier head with a pavilion, café and viewing decks.
The story of Southend Pier
The first wooden pier at Southend was opened in 1830 by the Lord Mayor of London, but it proved too short to reach deep water at low tide. The present iron pier, designed by James Green and extended by Robert Rawlinson, was begun in 1854 and completed in 1889, reaching its current length of 2,158 metres. The pier railway was opened in 1890 to spare visitors the walk, and in 1976 a fire at the shoreward end destroyed the bowling alley. A more devastating fire in 2005 destroyed the pier head pavilion, and in 2012 a new cultural centre designed by White Arkitekter was installed at the pier head after being floated across the Thames by barge.
Visiting with care
The pier is open daily year-round and a modest admission fee applies; the electric pier train runs throughout the day and is strongly recommended given the extraordinary length. Pick a calm, clear day for the best views across the estuary, and check the pier website before travelling as it closes in high winds.
Interesting facts
- At 1.34 miles (2,158 metres), it is the longest pleasure pier in the world.
- A purpose-built pier railway has carried visitors the full length since 1890.
- The pier head was rebuilt after a major fire in 2005.
- A new cultural centre was floated in by barge and installed in 2012.
Getting there
Parking and access details — check locally for the latest information.