Some info about the pier.
Early beginnings: the first pier (1830s–1870s)
Herne Bay grew as a Victorian seaside resort, and a proper pier was seen as essential.
The first pier opened in 1832. It was timber-built and quite short by later standards. Paddle steamers used it to bring visitors from London. The pier helped turn the town from a small settlement into a holiday destination.
This first structure didn’t last. Wear, weather, and the limits of the design led to its replacement.
The second pier: long, ambitious, and practical (1873–1928)
A new pier opened in 1873. This one was much longer and better suited to steamers, which needed deeper water to dock. It included:
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A tramway to carry luggage and people along its length
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A reading room and small shelters
Steamer services increased, and the pier became both a transport link and a leisure spot.
A storm destroyed part of the pier head in 1928, ending its use for steamships. The damaged section wasn’t rebuilt.
The third pier: the famous one (1899–present)
Herne Bay’s most recognisable pier opened in 1899. It was over 3,600 feet long, making it one of the longest in the country. It included:
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An electric tramway running from the shore to the pier head
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A large pavilion
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Space for concerts, skating, and big holiday crowds
Damage and separation
In 1978, a major storm broke the pier in two. The isolated pier head had to be dismantled over time, leaving only the shore end.
What remains today
The landward end is what people now know as Herne Bay Pier. It holds a mixture of:
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Small independent huts and stalls
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Rides and seasonal attractions
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Events during the summer
The long offshore section and its tramway exist only in photographs and old postcards.
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