English Heritage are publishing a new book about piers around the UK that they commissioned Anthony Wills and Tim Phillips of the National Piers Society to write.
They’re building the book’s launch around the fact that it’s the 200th anniversary of the opening of Ryde Pier this weekend.
Ryde: The first seaside pier
Why does the Isle of Wight come in for such an honour? Because it’s widely-acknowledged that Ryde Pier was the first seaside pier.
Alongside the granddaddy of them all, the book also features Sandown and Yarmouth’s piers.
Practical
As well as being a lovely place to promenade, the original idea for the piers, that the Victorians scattered around the UK, was a very practical one. As they extended so far into the sea, it didn’t matter how high or low the tide was – paddle steamers could dock, enabling visitors to get off and on.
Now available
The book, British Seaside Piers by Anthony Wills and Tim Phillips, is now available, published by English Heritage at £24.
Below are some of the postcards and photos featured in the book.
To see larger versions of them, just click on them.
Ryde
Sandown
Yarmouth
Image: © Used with the kind permission of Simmonds Archive, Seaview; Richard T Riding; Simon Haytack; and Richard T Riding Collection – all via English Heritage
