Ryde Pier (Ryde)
Ryde Pier is one of a dwindling number of English seaside piers, a fascinating and much loved institution.
It is situated at Ryde on the North coast of the Isle of Wight, stretching out across the Solent to Portsmouth.
It was the first pleasure pier to be built, being designed by John Kent in 1812 and opened in 1814.
The original length was 1714 feet, but this was extended with the advent of steamships to 2024 feet in 1824, and to its ultimate length of 2024 feet, nearly half a mile, in 1833.
In the 1860s, a second pier was built alongside the original, and on this was installed a tramway. Then in 1880, a third pier was built, and on this the railway was constructed.
Ryde Pier still has a railway, the only one to be part of the National Rail system, as the famous one on Southend Pier is not so connected.
Ryde Pier Head Station is the terminus for this line, and picks up passengers who travel by ferry from Portsmouth.
Until 1922, there was a lifeboat station on the pier.
The pier was declared a listed building in 1976.