Monument record MLI93495 - The Pier, Skegness
Summary
A pier and concert hall, dating from 1881. The pier was shattered by a storm in 1978, and the concert hall was subsequently demolished in the mid 1980s. Much of the surviving original structure has been replaced or refurbished by modern constructions.
Type and Period (2)
- PLEASURE PIER (Post Medieval to Late 20th Century - 1881 AD to 1978 AD)
- CONCERT HALL (Post Medieval to Late 20th Century - 1881 AD to 1985 AD)
Protected Status/Designation
Full Description
A pier dating from 1881. The architects were Head, Wright and Son. The pier was built of a plain metal structure which was glazed over, but the metal was replaced by modern concrete to the landward end. The pier was listed in 1975, although this designation was revoked in 1989. {1}
The pier formed one of the principal elements of the original plan for the development of Skegness, that was drawn up in 1868. It was opened in 1881 by the Duke of Edinburgh, at which point it was the fourth longest pier in Britain. It is recorded that there were 20,000 visitors to the pier over the 1882 August Bank Holiday, the majority having arrived by train simply to ‘walk the plank’. The pier has suffered a number of problems: in 1919 it was breached by the schooner Europa, but was repaired and survived until 1978, when it was shattered in a storm. The 1000 seater theatre survived for a short while longer, until it too perished in 1985 following a fire.
The pier lies within the Skegness Esplanade, which has been designated together with the Tower Gardens as a Registered Park (see PRNs 45510 and 49558). {2}
Sources/Archives (2)
- <1> SLI10041 Index: Department of the Environment. 1976. List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest. 1/10.
- <2> SLI13386 Website: Historic England (formerly English Heritage). 2011->. The National Heritage List for England. http://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/. 1443891.
Map
Location
| Grid reference | Centred TF 5695 6341 (574m by 111m) Estimated from sources |
|---|---|
| Civil Parish | SKEGNESS, EAST LINDSEY, LINCOLNSHIRE |
Related Monuments/Buildings (1)
Related Events/Activities (1)
Please contact the HER for details.
External Links (0)
Record last edited
Sep 28 2023 12:01PM
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