We do love good ol’ British seaside towns and their postcard-ready piers. The relentless seagulls that come with them? Maybe not so much. Although many of the UK’s Victorian piers have dilapidated over the years due to fires and decay, some are still surviving. The oldest pier in the country – Ryde Pier on the northwest of Isle of Wight – is not only thriving but has just reopened, giving the 143-year-old pier a new lease of life.
The focus of the revamp is a railway line that connects the Ryde Esplanade to Ryde Pier Head. Since closing in October 2022, the railway has gone through vital upgrades which include track maintenance at the Ryde Esplanade, the installation of a new weather screen at Ryde Pier Head station and a bunch of track and rail bearer replacements. They’ve also given the station a fresh coat of paint. Talk about a major glow-up.
The reopening comes just in time for the island’s busy summer holiday season and will provide the local economy with a tourism boost. It’ll also provide a more sustainable way for visitors to get to the island.
Here are some photos of the pier, which is certainly serving seafront promenade realness.
If you’re planning a trip to the Isle of Wight this summer, don’t miss out on the new Ryde Head pier! Be sure to check out our list of all the best things to eat, drink, do and see on the island, too.
Did you see that England’s stunning official ‘pier of the year’ basically goes on forever?
Plus: this abandoned Victorian pier is being brought back to life.