- Southsea South Parade Pier is in Hampshire, England.
- Check access, weather and local guidance before travelling.
About Southsea South Parade Pier
South Parade Pier is a Victorian pier on the Southsea seafront at Portsmouth, a traditional amusement pier with a ballroom and a history as a performance venue. It sits at the eastern end of the seafront esplanade.
The story of Southsea South Parade Pier
The pier was opened in 1879, designed by G. E. Smith and built by the South Parade Pier Company as a promenade and landing stage for paddle steamers. A pier pavilion was added in 1887 and the pier became a popular venue for variety performances. The pier was damaged by fire in 1904 and again in 1967, the latter destroying much of the pier head. A modern amusement arcade was built on the shoreward end in the 1980s. The pier has had a troubled recent history with periods of closure, and was further damaged by fire in 2004 but has since been restored and reopened as a family entertainment venue.
Visiting with care
Open year-round, the pier offers traditional amusements, a function room and a café. It is on the Southsea esplanade, convenient for the seafront, the D-Day Museum and Portsmouth's Historic Dockyard.
Interesting facts
- Opened in 1879, designed by G. E. Smith as a promenade and landing pier.
- A pier pavilion added in 1887 hosted variety performances.
- Damaged by fires in 1904, 1967 and 2004.
- Restored and reopened as a family entertainment venue.
Getting there
Parking and access details — check locally for the latest information.