Penarth Pier and the restored Pavilion in pictures, South Wales

Photos of Penarth Pier and pavilion, Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan, South Wales, September 2013

Opening in 1895 in response to the growing popularity of the nearby beach and to service the lively ferry trade to Cardiff, Penarth Pier on the South Wales coast stands 50 feet (230 m) long.

Photos of Penarth Pier and pavilion, Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan, South Wales, September 2013

After being sold to the council in 1929, a new concrete landing stage was built at the seaward end, followed by a delightful Art Deco pavilion at the shoreward end,

Used as a venue for traditional seaside entertainment and a concert hall, the building fell into disrepair over the years, but a 2009 Heritage Lottery Fund led to a £3.9m refurbishment scheme which is scheduled to be completed by September 2013.

The restoration will see the pavilion being used as a cinema, cafe, observatory and multi-purpose community complex.

Photos of Penarth Pier and pavilion, Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan, South Wales, September 2013

Work looks near completion on the roof – it looks fabulous!

Photos of Penarth Pier and pavilion, Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan, South Wales, September 2013

The main entrance to the pavilion from the shoreside.

Photos of Penarth Pier and pavilion, Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan, South Wales, September 2013

A brass band was playing outside when we visited.

Photos of Penarth Pier and pavilion, Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan, South Wales, September 2013

Looking along the pier.

Photos of Penarth Pier and pavilion, Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan, South Wales, September 2013

In the summer months, the pleasure steamers PS Waverley and MV Balmoral regularly use the pier head pontoon.

I caught  a steamer trip from Penarth to Somerset a few years back and it was a lovely day out.

Photos of Penarth Pier and pavilion, Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan, South Wales, September 2013

The pier is open all the year around, with license-free sea fishing from the pier head available (except in except June, July and August).

Photos of Penarth Pier and pavilion, Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan, South Wales, September 2013

Looking out to Flatholm (Ynys Echni), from where Messrs Kemp and Marconi successfully transmitted the first ever wireless messages to go over the sea in 1897.

Photos of Penarth Pier and pavilion, Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan, South Wales, September 2013

Flatholm and its neighbour, Steepholm (Ynys Rhonech).

Photos of Penarth Pier and pavilion, Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan, South Wales, September 2013

Looking towards Cardiff Docks.

Photos of Penarth Pier and pavilion, Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan, South Wales, September 2013

End of the pier.

Photos of Penarth Pier and pavilion, Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan, South Wales, September 2013

On the beach.

Photos of Penarth Pier and pavilion, Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan, South Wales, September 2013

The seafront buildings in the foreground have been flattened and will be rebuilt as Beachcliff luxury bespoke homes. Only the original towers will remain in the new build.

Photos of Penarth Pier and pavilion, Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan, South Wales, September 2013

Photos of Penarth Pier and pavilion, Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan, South Wales, September 2013

Some more pier views.

Photos of Penarth Pier and pavilion, Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan, South Wales, September 2013

Photos of Penarth Pier and pavilion, Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan, South Wales, September 2013

Storms gather at sea.

Photos of Penarth Pier and pavilion, Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan, South Wales, September 2013

The buildings in the centre of the pier provide toilet facilities and two snack bars.

I bought a lovely Welsh cake there!

Penarth Pier and Pavilion in pictures, South Wales

A postcard view of Penarth Pier around the turn of the last century.

More on the pier:
Photo feature on Penarth Pier with archive images

Penarth Pier gets thumping big grant from Heritage Lottery Fund [2011 report]

A steamer trip from Penarth to Somerset

One Comment on “Penarth Pier and the restored Pavilion in pictures, South Wales”

  1. Thank you for these excellent photos. Having recently heard an item on BBC radio about the pier having been restored, it’s good to see the results. I’ve sent the link on to my Mum=in=law, now 91, she was posted to Penarth during the war to attend a training course while in the WAAF. She liked to swim right round the pier and recalls that there was in irate fisherman fishing off the end, who would shake his fist at her!

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