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Photo: me'nthedogs (Mark Robinson), CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Pier in Victorian architectural style, connecting the shore to Birnbeck island. The pier was constructed between 1864 and 1867 when it opened, and a toll of a single old penny was charged to walk over the pier to the island. It became important as steam paddlers crossed the channel, bringing in passengers from Wales. During the Second World War however it was taken over by the military and commissioned as the HMS Birnbeck, then used as a research facility for secret weapons such as the famous "bouncing bombs". After the war it resumed operation, but visitor numbers had started to decline. Since the 1960s there have been proposals to redevelop the pier as casino, hotel, luxury flats, or marina. Regular ferries ceased operation to the pier in 1971 and the last trip was made in 1979, after which the pier remained disused. It was badly damaged by a storm in 1990, forcing the city council to fence it off in 1994, a state in which it has remained for 25 years. As of 2020, it is in a state of dereliction, has changed ownership a few times, and has been the target of vandalism. The north landing collapsed after a storm in 2015.
Birnbeck Pier, also known as the 'Old Pier', is a pier and island situated on the Bristol Channel in Weston-super-Mare, North Somerset, England, approximately 18 miles (29 km) south-west of Bristol. It is the only pier in the country which links the mainland to an island, linking to Birnbeck Island, a 1.2-hectare (3-acre) rocky island just to the west of Worlebury Hill. The grade II* listed pier was designed by Eugenius Birch and opened in 1867. Birnbeck Pier is one of only six Grade II* piers surviving in the country. The refreshment and waiting rooms of 1898 were designed by local architect Hans Price and the clocktower and the piermaster's house have been attributed to him.
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Located at the northern end of the beach, Marine Lake is a small man-made lake filled at high tide by the sea. It has a beach as well as a concrete walkway around the landward side, and a causeway at the ocean side. Popular with families as the water is calm and fairly shallow.
Trips around Weston Bay lasting for an hour, and also a longer day trip to the nature reserve of Steep Holm and Flatholm Island in the Bristol Channel. The MV Balmoral and the PS Waverley occasionally call in at Weston. Details from Tourist Information Centre.
Small water park mainly intended for young children, with splash pads. The facility has toilets and changing rooms. No dogs allowed. Bringing picnics is allowed, although there is also a small cafe.
Location of the former St. Peter's School, a boarding school attended by famous Welsh children's author Roald Dahl from 1925 to 1929. No trace of the school remains, as it closed in 1970 and was demolished to make way for a housing estate, with the sole reminder of the school being St. Peter's Ave, which was named after the school. A plaque commemorating the former site of the school has been installed at the junction between Shrubbery Rd, Shrubbery Ave and St Peter's Ave.
The Pier suffered a devastating fire in 2008, but in October 2010 the £39-million rebuilt pier opened to the public. The Grand Pier includes multiple attractions including a Go-Kart Track, Robo Coaster and Ghost ride. Food and drinks are available and there is also a themed bar.
A 200-seat community theatre and arts venue, with a programme of plays, concerts, puppet theatre, films and dance performance.