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Swanage Pier By Lies Thru a Lens –

Top 10 Sensational Facts about the Swanage Pier

The Swanage pier is a Victorian raised structure which extends into the southern end of Swanage Bay near the town of Swanage. Nestled on the south coast in the shadow of Bournemouth and Weymouth, it’s  a 750 foot long, built between 1859 and 1860.

Today the pier is open to the public, here you find on the eastern gateway to the Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the Dorset and Devon coast. This site is an inspiring wonder for its limestone formations and fossils and has become very popular. Furthermore, the Pier hosts a successful diving school which is the  oldest in the UK. But there’s more to this little Pier than meets the eye.  Here are 10 sensational facts about the Swanage Pier.

1. There are approximately 11000 brass plaques along the pier

The pier is famous with tourists and locals for the plaques. To commemorate sponsorship to the Pier, a brass plaque is laid on the Pier and can include a short message of your choice.

This is done at a small fee to the Friends of Swanage Pier community to aid in its maintenance. As of today there are over 10000 brass plaques on the Swanage Pier giving the it character.

2. The original Swanage Pier was opened by John Mowlem

Swanage Pier By Nilfanion –

John Mowlem, was a prominent stonemason from Swanage where he was born and lived most of his life. From 1816 Mowlem was foreman of all Westmacott’s London works. In 1822 he started his own business and secured contracts for paving London’s streets. In 1845 John Mowlem retired to Swanage where he invested in road improvements and the Swanage Pier.

The original Swanage Pier was constructed James Walton in 1859. It was completed in 1860 for the Swanage Pier and Tramway Company and opened by John Mowlem.

3. Its a marine tour paradise

Swanage Pier entrance By Daniel Schmidt –

Over the years the pier is a popular training site for scuba diving because it is one of the few sheltered marine diving sites on the south coast. It is also considered the oldest host for diving schools in the UK. The Swanage Pier Trust offers popular boat rides around the bay where the amazing marie life beauty truly comes to play.

The popular Sea Train Adventure combines a relaxing cruise from Poole Harbor into Swanage and then a steam train to Corfe Castle. Such boat rides show the rich marine life that Swanage has to offer as well as the gorgeous landscape and beautiful water.

4. The Pier is owned and operated by the Swanage Pier Trust

Swanage Pier Trust took control of the Pier at the end of 1994. They started to restore and maintain it for the benefit of residents and visitors alike. The Swanage Pier Trust is an independent registered charity and is not part of the local council. It costs approximately £200,000 each year to maintain Swanage Pier.

Moreover, the trust also depends n charities from guests such as the plaques or memberships to come up with the money to maintain the Pier. This makes any support towards the Pier vital for its future.

5. The original Pier was wasn’t always a tourist go to spot

Remains of Swanage pier tramway By Phil Champion –

The first pier in Swanage was erected in 1859 for quarrymen to ferry Purbeck stone and by passenger steamers. The stone was loaded into vessels off the pier after being hauled by horse-drawn carts by way of a tramway. It was used for this very purpose until the 1940’s.  in the 1950’s, the Swanage Pier became a diving platform for Swanage Swimming Club.

6. There are 19 lampposts along the pier

The Pier is submerged in a colorful lighting display with each lamppost  being designed to look like the original Victorian lampposts. With the lamp post illuminating the Pier, it creates a sort of guide leading up to  the end of the Pier. In addition, there is an amazing fire show with an array of light-up juggling props, fire-eating and blowing performances at night.

7. A second Pier was built in 1896 and opened on March 29th, 1897.

With the Embassy’s departure in August 1966, the Pier deteriorated for almost 30 years in the hands of often indifferent owners. A second pier was later commissioned due to increased demand from paddle steamers and passenger ships. 

Work to restore the Pier began in 1895 and became highly popular with visitors arriving by paddle-steamers. A decline decline in the use of paddle steamers in 1966, and subsequent disrepair led the pier to be left unmaintained.

It came into the ownership of the Swanage Pier Trust, who worked to raise over £1m to repair it. The pier has been rejuvenated as a tourist attraction and base for diving, angling and boat trips. Swanage Pier Trust continues to maintain the Pier to this date.

8. It has undergone reconstruction several times

Remains of the old pier in Swanage Bay By Sebastian Ballard –

During its 118-year life time the second, and now only pier, has undergone numerous repair works. These repairs include the first concrete cladding to eroded piles in 1927. 

Reconstruction of the landward end of the pier in 1948 was done after it was destroyed as an anti-invasion precaution in 1940.  It was also restored  by Swanage Pier Trust after almost 30 years of deterioration in 1994 through 1998.

9. It is Situated at the beginning of Dorset’s World Heritage Jurassic Coast

View of the Jurassic coast from the Swanage Pier By grumpy lumixuser –

The World Heritage Site, the famous Jurassic Coast begins in Exmouth, East Devon, and runs across 95 miles of coastline. It ends at Old Harry Rocks, near Swanage Pier in Dorset. It is England’s only natural World Heritage Site. Furthermore, it was designated by UNESCO in 2001 for the Outstanding Universal Value of its rocks, fossils and landforms.

 In addition, the area’s important fossil sites and classic coastal geomorphologic features have contributed to the study of earth sciences for over 300 years. this has brought a lot of tourism to Swanage especially the Pier as the boat rides to the site are boarded there.

10. There is a Swanage Museum and Heritage Centre

The Museum and Heritage Centre contains information on the history, geology and geography of the Swanage town. Educational packs are available and talks can be given.

In the Visitor Centre was an exhibition with 100 year old finds from local shipwrecks. The Centre is situated in the Old Market Building on Swanage seafront right next to the Swanage Pier.  

These are but a few sensational facts about the beautiful Swanage Pier, hopefully they give more insight about this landmark.