The late late show with james corden recommended for you. Brightons west pier, although now just an iron shell, use to enjoy over 2 million visitors. Shortest pier in england at 117ft 36m, according to the people of burnham. The entire site underwent redevelopment to include new facilities for the 2012 olympic games, including the weymouth sea life tower. Weymouth pier bandstand, weymouth, pier bandstand, the esplanade, opening hours, gifts, gift shop, birthday gifts, special. The history and antiquities of the borough and town of weymouth and. Weymouth pier is a peninsula between weymouth harbour and weymouth beach, in dorset. Weymouth history facts and timeline weymouth, dorset, england weymouths history centres around its development as a port. The pier was 200 feet in length, but accommodate up to 2,400 seats in the bandstand. Pier bandstand weymouth is an art deco bandstand on the shore of weymouth bay in dorset, england. What you didnt know about britains quirkiest piers the telegraph. The pier, known as the pier bandstand, was the subject of an architectural competition run under the supervision of the royal institute of british architects. The last bandstand stood out at the end of what was an elegant, curving pier, which brings us neatly back to where we first started our story of the weymouth bandstands.
A brief history of weymouth beachcomber guesthouse. Piers and lighthouses vch explore victoria county history. Car park, toilets, disabled access, cafe shop, deck chair hire, lifeguards in. Well worth a visit if youre staying in eastbourne, but getting a ticket might be difficult. Reserve a table at al molo, weymouth on tripadvisor. A young woman becomes a governess to two grieving orphans in the latest powerful historical romance from janet woods 1835. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Al molo brings italian cuisine and fine dining to the iconic pier bandstand on weymouth esplanade. History the origin of this pier reportedly dates back to 1812 although, in 1840, a piled structure had been built on the harbours north side as an extension of weymouth esplanade. Find out the best ways in which you can contact the history press. Though the pier bandstand had gained some criticism for its intruding visual impact along the bay, it quickly became a popular attraction and was used to host many events from dances, concerts, wrestling, roller skating to the miss weymouth bathing beauty contests. In 1886 nearly 2,000 people attended a concert and dance at the end of the pier. For generations of holidaymakers, piers at many of the countrys leading seaside resorts provided an extension of the promenade and a focus.
Eventually music halls, casinos and swimming pools became the norm on these giant fingers reaching out into the sea. Pier bandstand, weymouth weymouth, dorset landmark. This page was last edited on 2 october 2018, at 00. Eastbourne pier has a rare surviving example of a camera obscura. The southside harbour pier a solid groin is reserved for commercial use, with ferries to the channel islands and france. Amberley publishing provides a fresh approach to regional and general history. The pier bandstand was built in 193839 for a cost of. How the tynemouth and south shields piers were made and why they took more than 40 years to build. The foundation stone of the piers was laid with appropriate ceremony in june, 1854, by the late sir joseph cowen, then chairman of the commission. To the south at the end of the esplanade are weymouth pier,the condor ferries terminal for ferry service to the channel islands and the pavilion theatre. Weymouth pier is a peninsula between weymouth harbour and weymouth beach, in dorset, england. Wennings plans were one of twentysix entries considered. No two piers are the same, ranging as they do from the clear uncluttered deck to elaborately structured pavilions, from amusement arcades to the landing stages and theatres that were the highlight. Work on the north pier in tynemouth began in 1854 and on the south pier in south shields in 1856.
As the boom took hold cafes were added to the entrances. Weymouth history by ted clarke 2005 ted clarke was a member of the historical society and chairman of the weymouth historical commission. Synopsis there are few symbols more redolent of the great age of the british seaside holiday than the sinuous lines of the pier stretching into the water. In the later years the pier included amusements and a restaurant, but by the mid 1980s the actual bandstand was too expensive to maintain and was finally demolished.
The remains of the old north pier jut out into the harbour between the river mouth and the. There are a fair number of books about weymouth, but clarke wanted this one to be different. British piers peering into the history of piers sir. Eastbourne pier, non civil parish 53116 historic england. The burnhamonsea website says weymouths bandstand pier. Photo of worthing, the pier and bandstand 1921, from the francis frith collection. Weymouth pleasure pier, dorset pierdom by simon roberts.
It was only when i was doing my family history in the 1990s that i. A brief history of the construction of the piers appeared in the shields daily gazette of 18 may 1895 to mark the completion of their construction. Throughout bridports development it has retained its natural foreshore with granite rocks, many beaches and safe and sheltered swimming areas. Therefore, it does not license or charge permission fees for use of such material and cannot grant or deny permission to publish or otherwise distribute the material. It was intended to extend weymouths esplanade, and consists of a theatre, weymouth pavilion. New bandstand for seaside town of hornsea bbc news. I watched the weymouth pier bandstand explode and crumble into the sea in 1986. History of weymouth, massachusetts database online. During the 1960s, the bandstands promenade building was redesigned. I have a huge collection that cover illustrations from numerous victorian articles about travel, prisons, childrens homes, poverty, philanthropy. Vennings design was chosen from twentysix entries and the pier was subsequently built, opening on 25th may 1939.
Since then many reference books have called the pier lost. His highly illustrated survey of the piers constructed at famous resorts like blackpool, morecambe, southport and st annesonsea celebrates structures that are among the most exuberant and evocative of the victorian age. Vennings design was chosen from twentysix entries and the pier was subsequently built, opening on 25th may 1939 to a length of 200 feet. The union church was at the top of weymouth landing, and the boundary line between weymouth and braintree used to run directly through the church. The bandstand is right by the sea, with a busy schedule of tribute bands, classical music recitals, brass bands and other acts throughout the year, with the occasional fireworks display. The pier was destroyed by fire in the early 1950s, and. Buy my great british pier trip 66 seaside piers in 21 days by chris foote wood isbn. A bandstand has been erected in an east yorkshire seaside town to celebrate the 50th birthday of hornsea lions club. Welcome to the seaham bed and breakfast weymouth which offers modern and comfortable. There is little documented history to the origins of weymouth pier, though it is believed that a. Worthing pier short films and videos worthing pier. The first concerts were given on the 28th july 1935 with. Bridport still waiting on new pier development the.
It was rebuiltextended during 185960, with a cargo stage added in 1877 to facilitate the landing of channel island potatoes. At the other end of the beach, there used to stand the pier band stand. Please visit our blog to find essential local information from taxis to history of our. Check weymouth pier bandstand in weymouth, pier bandstand, the esplanade on cylex and find. All structured data from the file and property namespaces is available under the creative commons cc0 license. When war was declared in 1914, the people of south dorset were taken by surprise. Content generated during research for two paperback books sunderland and its origins. Weymouth pier news newspapers books scholar jstor august 2012. An illustrated history maureen attwood, jack west on. While researching my family history i have stumbled across an ancestor who was the daughter of the landlord then known as a beer retailer of the hare and hounds which in 1871 was known as the hare and hounds inn. The books are not designed for historians, but rather will appeal to the general reader searching for concise and informative history books.
Romans sailed up the river wey to the roman town of durnovaria, or dorchester as its known today. A report in the bideford and north devon weekly gazette of august 17 1937 recalls the memories of a mr w j pursey of brent tor, westward ho. How the tynemouth and south shields piers were made and. Writing a book, blog, short stories or your own family history, then why not make them jump off the page, bring them to life with historical graphics. The union church burned down in 1897 and was rebuilt a little further up which means it is now completely in braintree. Eastbourne pier is a good example of a promenade pier, later adapted into a full blown pleasure pier with good quality late. Weymouth pier bandstand weymouth, pier bandstand, the. The bandstand was officially opened on 25 may 1939 by j. Pier bandstand the esplanade the esplanade, weymouth dt4 7rn. The bridport historyforeshore walk will guide you through our interesting past and spectacular environment.
A weymouth childhood in the 1950s tells the autobiographical story of life for a boy growing up in a seaside guesthouse in the austerity period. Weymouth and portland in dorset, uk are rich in both history and heritage and it is intended that this group will cover the entire borough as well as places just on the edge. The pier, known as the pier bandstand, was the subject of an architectural competition run under the supervision of the royal institute of british. Both piers were originally constructed in a curved shape, however, following a series storms the central section of the north pier was damaged and the pier was rebuilt in a straight line. Files are available under licenses specified on their description page.
Clementine morris, despite her youth and inexperience, is hired by zachariah fleet to care for his recently orphaned niece and nephew. The remains of the old north pier jut out into the harbour between the river mouth and the much newer roker pier. Weymouth pier bandstand, dorset pierdom by simon roberts. On the north side is a piled pier built as a promenade pier, which was opened on july th 1933 by the prince of wales, later king edward viii. The library of congress does not own rights to material in its collections. Weymouth seadside town is steeped in history and is interesting for a variety of reasons. Pier bandstand weymouth is an art deco bandstand on the shore of weymouth bay. Wenning, who had won the architectural competition for the bandstands design.
Various shots of the seafront and the burnt out pier. Weymouth pier bandstand was the subject of an architectural competition run under the supervision of the royal institute of british architects. Views of worthing pier after a fire in the pavilion. At that time, weymouth was actually made up of two separate towns weymouth on. British piers peering into the history of piers sir gordon bennett. Few towns can offer such a rich and fascinating past as weymouth. Vennings design was chosen and the pier was finally opened on 25th may 1939. This church kept many records of weymouth landing residents. The remaining parts of the pier were consequently demolished and rebuilt by 1909 to a. Suitable for water activities including windsurfing, surfing, canoeing and paddleboats. Boscombe pier beach is a sandy beach alongside the pier ideal for families with amusements at the pier and a short walk to town centre. Initially, there was excitement as the garrison town of dorchester sprang to life and britains grand fleet steamed from portland harbour to its war stations in the north sea. Bridport is a seaside haven and its natural beauty attracts people year after year.