Site of Rhyl Pier

link to Welsh translationLink to French translation

 

Rhyl’s Victoria Pier stood near this spot. It was built in 1867 – the first pier in North Wales – and extended in 1880, becoming a great tourist asset to Rhyl. Steamers provided excursions to other Welsh resorts and brought holidaymakers from Liverpool. Over the years the pier suffered from fire, storms and collisions, and was eventually dismantled in spring 1973.

Photo of Rhyl Pier in 1890sDesigned by James Brunless and built by Messrs Laidlaw of Glasgow, it cost £15,000. This was a big project for Rhyl, whose population at the time was only 5,000. It was 718m (2,355ft) long by 4.9m (16ft) wide, and stood 3.35m (11ft) above high tide level. Shops were built on it, refreshment rooms and a bandstand were provided. There was also entertainment at the Pier Pavilion and the Bijou Pavilion.

The upper picture shows the structures in the 1890s. The lower photo, from the collection of the late James Roberts, is shows the length of the pier, as viewed from the sea end.

In July 1897 an estimated 3,000 spectators gathered to watch celebrity high diver Tommy Burns climb a tower at the end of the pier and dive 30 metres (100ft) into the sea. While swimming the 730 metres (800ft) back to shore he was seen to be struggling. Swimmers went to his aid and he was hauled up onto the pier, where he was found to be dead.

Old photo of Rhyl pier from the sea endIn December 1883 a schooner called Lady Stewart crashed broadside into the pier during a gale, carrying away 36-46m (120-150ft) of the structure. Then, in 1884, a Norwegian steamer called St Olaf also collided with the pier during a storm.

In 1901 The Grand Pavilion which stood at the pier’s entrance was destroyed by fire, and part of the structure was closed. Storms in 1909 caused further damage, and by 1913 it was declared unsafe and put up for sale. No bids emerged, and eventually Rhyl Urban District Council stepped in and bought it for £1,000.

The pier re-opened in 1930, but in April 1965 the council decided to demolish the neglected structure. Closed to the public, it stood for another eight years before it was eventually taken down.

With thanks to Ruth Pritchard, of Rhyl History Club, and to Jo Roberts

View Location Map

Wales Coastal Path Label Navigation anticlockwise buttonNavigation clockwise button
National Cycle Network Label Navigation previous buttonNavigation next button