Hastings Pier

Hastings Pier stretches out into the English Channel from Hastings in East Sussex. Built in 1872, it was designed by Eugenius Birch, who also created Brighton’s West Pier. The pier once hosted major acts like The Rolling Stones and Pink Floyd in its 1960s heyday. After decades of decline, it suffered storm damage in 1990 and a devastating fire in 2010 that destroyed 95% of its structure. A community-led charity fought to save it, leading to a full rebuild completed in 2016. The pier’s survival is a story of local determination. The Hastings Pier and White Rock Trust campaigned for years, securing grants and fighting plans to demolish it. After the fire, the trust won an £8.75 million Heritage Lottery grant to restore the substructure. The rebuilt pier reopened in 2016 and won the prestigious Stirling Prize for architecture the following year. Its survival reflects the community’s pride in this landmark. Visitors now walk along the wide deck to reach the open-air stage at the pier’s end. The rebuilt structure blends modern materials with the original Victorian ironwork. Benches line the route, offering views of the sea and Hastings’ coastline. The pier’s pavilion hosts events and performances, continuing its tradition as a cultural hub. The surrounding beach and old town add to the visit, making it a lively place by day and night.