Llandudno pier

button-theme-crimelink_to_french_translation Button link to kids version of page Button link to kids version of pageLlandudno Pier

Llandudno pier is the longest in Wales, 700 metres in length. The first pier on this site was a wooden one, erected in 1858 as part of the planned St George’s Harbour. The wooden pier was used mainly for export of limestone from quarries in the nearby Happy Valley.

llandudno_pier_viewIn 1875 the Llandudno Pier Company was formed. The first pile was driven for the new pier in July 1876. The builder was Walter MacFarlane from Glasgow. Cast iron components were produced by the Elmbank Foundry, Glasgow. The upper photo shows the pier in the 1890s. 

The pier opened to the public on 1 August 1877. A landing stage catered for steamships, which brought visitors to Llandudno and took trippers for cruises along the coast to Anglesey and sometimes as far as the Isle of Man. 

The lower photo shows the paddle steamer La Marguerite arriving at Llandudno. One of the ship's crew fell off the paddle-box while trying to get a rope across to the pier one evening in August 1908. A line was quickly dropped to haul him from the sea – all watched by excited crowds on the steamer and pier! 

Rival steamers sometimes raced to the pier. In 1906 the master of the Snowdon was accused of breaching maritime law when racing against the Carrisbrooke between Beaumaris and Llandudno pier. Liverpool magistrates threw out the case because it wasn’t clear which steamer was entitled to reach the pier first. 

Tom Watson, secretary of Liverpool Football Club, arrived by ship with his family for a few days’ holiday in August 1906. He carried with him almost £100 of club funds, which he thought would be safer travelling with him than left in his empty house. As his homeward steamer left Llandudno, he reached down to the hip pocket of his trousers and found that the money had been stolen while he was on the pier!

Rail and road transport put an end to regular sailings, but the charity-owned pleasure cruiser MV Balmoral maintained the tradition of day cruises from Llandudno into the 21st century.

The pier remains a popular leisure venue for funfair rides, fishing or just strolling and enjoying the view of Llandudno’s promenade and bay. In 2005 it won the Pier of the Year award from the National Piers Society.   

With thanks to John Lawson-Reay, of Llandudno & Colwyn Bay History Society

Website of Llandudno pier

Postcode: LL30 2LP    View Location Map

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