With the summer holidays over and the quieter season incoming, now is the best time to head to Devon and experience everything the county has to offer without the big crowds. One of the best things about the county, particularly the sea side resorts is the various Victorian style piers that can still be seen around the region.
During the Victorian era, holiday makers would flock to the region’s piers to enjoy games, entertainment and of course, food and drink and with these piers across the county, you can enjoy the nostalgia of holiday’s gone by. These are just some of the amazing piers you can find in Devon – are any of your favourites on our list?
Grand Pier | Teignmouth
Built in 1865, the Grand Pier evokes a very Wes Anderson feeling. It can be found right in the middle of the seafront and initially, it was designed to enabled steam boat journeys, but this section was removed during WWII, so the town couldn’t be breached by any invading enemies.
West Hoe Pier | Plymouth
Another Victorian pier, this one was built in 1880 and at one time was a hive of live music and entertainment. Sadly it was bombed during the Blitz and is now just a skeleton, despite this, it is still impressive to look at and provides a lovely spot to enjoy the view, which is why it is one of our favourites.
Paignton Pier | Paignton
A popular pier with tourists is the one in Paignton. It was built in the 1870s and has long been home to a variety of entertainments, back in the day it was even the venue for a Gilbert and Sullivan production. Over the years, it has had a few face lifts and it remains one of the most popular places for visitors to enjoy some amusements and pick up fish and chips from the famous chippy!
Ilfracombe Harbour | Ilfracombe
Ok, so it isn’t a pier like the others are piers but it needs to be on the list because it is the home of Verity, the Damien Hirst statue that overlooks Ilfracombe Harbour. If you visit the harbour, you can enjoy a stroll around the promenade and enjoy some incredible views, as well as watch the boats come in and check out some amazing art.
Princess Pier, Torquay
This one is a great example of Victorian architecture and is part of the town’s Agatha Christie tours as the pier features in one of her books! It is one of our favourites because it is the perfect spot for watching the world go by with an ice cream or a portion of chips.
Did we mention any of your favourite piers? Don’t forget to tag us in pictures of your favourites, you can find us on Instagram @visitdevon.
