Monument record MDO29440 - Bournemouth Pier

Bournemouth Pier began as a 100 foot wooden jetty built in 1856. It was replaced by a 1000 feet, wood-piled pier in 1861. The present pier was built between 1878 and 1880 by Bergheim & Co., London, to a design by Eugenius Birch. It was extended in 1894 and 1909. Between 1979 and 1981, a redevelopment project replaced and refurbished part of the pier to provide a two-storey octagonal entrance building, shops, kiosks, an amusement arcade, a show-bar and a multi-purpose hall.

Bournemouth Pier began as a 100 foot wooden jetty built in 1856. It was replaced by a 1000 feet, wood-piled pier in 1861 at a cost of £3,418. The architect was George Rennie. The present pier is therefore the third on the site and was built between 1878 and 1880 by Bergheim & Co., London, to a design by Eugenius Birch. Its length was 838 feet (255.4 metres) and was extended in 1894 and 1909 to over 1000 feet (304.8 metres). A landing stage 1060 feet in length was constructed at a lower level around the exterior of the head and part of the neck. A bandstand and covered shelters were added in 1885. During the Second World War, the pier was breached as an anti-invasion measure by the Army Demolition Team. The pier-head was reconstructed in 1950, inserting a concrete substructure, and again in 1960 to carry the new pier theatre. The Irish Republican Army (IRA) made an unsuccessful attempt to bomb the pier in the late twentieth century. Between 1979 and 1981, a £1.7m redevelopment project replaced and refurbished part of the pier to provide a two-storey octagonal entrance building, shops, kiosks, an amusement arcade, a show-bar and a multi-purpose hall. <1>

<1> Adamson, S, and Falconer, K, 1975, Survey of piled maritime pleasure piers in England and Wales, 7 (Monograph). SDO20469.

<2> Mickleburgh, Timothy J, 1998, Guide to British piers, 25 (Monograph). SDO19010.

<3> Mawson, C, and Riding, R, 2008, British Seaside Piers, 20-21 (Monograph). SDO19011.

<4> Historic England, Historic England Archive (Index). SDO14738.

Object Number
Object Title
Scope And Content
2K/08617 SEASIDE SURVEY: BOURNEMOUTH This job has not been printed.
NHW01/01/044 Looking south-west towards Bournemouth Pier from East Cliff Promenade
OP10385 A stereo view looking down towards the beach and pier. Groups of bathing machines can be seen at the water's edge.
OP10400 This photograph shows one of the earliest pier structures to be built in Bournemouth. At the toll house on the right, visitors paid 1d a day or 2s6d for a monthly ticket to walk along the pier. The building in the centre housed the public baths.
OP10401 The ornate clock tower and entrance to Bournemouth pier were constructed in 1878. An iron pier had replace the earlier wooden structures. The Belle Vue and Pier Hotel stands to the left of the photograph; in the centre stands the public baths.
OP10471 A view showing bathing machines on Bournemouth beach. A steamer sits st the pier behind. The ornate clock tower and entrance to Bournemouth pier were constructed in 1878.
OP10482 The ornate clock tower and entrance to Bournemouth pier were constructed in 1878. An iron pier had replace the earlier wooden structures. To the left of the pier are the public baths. Bathing machines can be seen on the beach behind.
Mounted on the reverse of OP10480 and OP10481
PC38411 The refreshment rooms on Bournemouth Pier

<5> National Record of the Historic Environment, 458172 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Jan 17 2024 9:50AM