Penarth Pier Pillows

This very elegant pier is on the South Wales coast at Penarth in the Vale of Glamorgan. It dates from Victorian times having opened in 1898, visitors enjoying steamer trips leaving from the pierhead. The 750 foot long pier has had its share of collisions by ships! In 1947 a Canadian cargo ship caused considerable damage as did a pleasure steamer in 1966 (in dense fog this time!). Following restoration in 1994 and 1996 the pier reopened in 1998. In 2014 it was voted 'Pier of the Year'.

This very elegant per is on the South Wales coast at Penarth in the Vale of Glamorgan. It dates from Victorian times having opened in 1898, visitors enjoying steamer trips leaving from the pierhead. The 750 foot long pier has had its share of collisions by ships! In 1947 a Canadian cargo ship caused considerable damage as did a pleasure steamer in 1966 (in dense fog this time!). Following restoration in 1994 and 1996 the pier reopened in 1998. In 2014 it was voted 'Pier of the Year' Nikon D7100 Nikkor 18-200

The end of the pier at Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan, South Wales. This very elegant pier was opened in 1895, allowing pleasure boats to moor and replacing an earlier landing stage which was wheeled in and out of the sea. Today boats still take on passengers here, including the PS "Waverley", the last of the paddle steamers. In recent years restoration of the Pavilion has been completed. In 2014 it was voted Pier of the Year by the National Piers Society. Nikon D7000 Nikkor 18-200

Clouds building up over the pier at Penarth in the Vale of Glamorgan, South Wales. The first pier here was opened in 1898. This was because a steamship ferry service between Cardiff and Penarth - its nearest seaside town - had begun in 1856 (this continued until 1903) and the ships needed a pier to tie up in deeper water. The rather handsome art deco pavilion was opened in 1930. In its time this has been a concert hall, ballroom and even a cinema.

Penarth Pier near Cardiff, in South Wales.

Penarth Pier Pavilion on Penarth Pier near Cardiff in Wales

Penarth Pier Pavilion on Penarth Pier near Cardiff in Wales

Penarth Pier Pavilion on Penarth Pier near Cardiff in Wales

The Victorian pier of Penarth in Wales, UK, treated in sepia. The pier was opened in 1898 and was a popular attraction to seaside-goers at the time, who also enjoyed trips on pleasure steamers that operated from the pier. It has on several occasions been damaged by vessels colliding with the structure and in 1931, a fire broke out in one of the pavilions. This wooden pavilion was never replaced, but a concrete pavilion has been used over the years as a concert hall, ballroom, cinema and for other purposes. It is currently home to the Penarth Pier Pavilion. (Nikon Coolpix P510)

Penarth Pier in South Wales on an overcast March day.

Gales in May 1947 forced the 7,000 ton ship, 'Port Royal Park', onto the pier, causing severe damage. Repairs costing £28,000, included underpinning of the cast iron columns and the installation of new reinforced concrete columns. The pier re-opened in 1950. In August 1966, the paddle steamer 'Bristol Queen', operated by the White Funnel line, also collided with the pier in dense fog, again causing serious damage. Cruises on the White Funnel fleet, owned by the famous Bristol based P & A Cambell Ltd, ceased operating in 1981 and over the years, this trade has dwindled with the commercial shipping companies having now all disappeared. However, two ships, the MV Balmoral and PS Waverley, operated by the Paddle Steamer Preservation So...