My great uncle used to visit this pier often to do a spot of fishing, at least that’s what he told his parents and sister. The real reason for his visit was to see his future wife. They would spend the afternoon walking and talking on the pier before he returned home, often via the fishmongers where he would buy a fish or two to prove that he really had been fishing.
The pier opened to the public on 14 May 1896, the ceremony was performed by George Douglas-Pennant, 2nd Baron Penrhyn. It once had a 3 foot railway for handling baggage which came from visiting pleasure boats but this was removed in 1914.
In 1971, the pier closed on safety grounds, with ownership being passed to Arfon Borough Council in 1974. The council took the immediate decision to demolish the pier (booooo!!), but Bangor City council objected, obtaining a Grade II listing for the structure, with the planning officer considering it one of the three finest surviving piers in Great Britain (Yeyyyyyy!). The pier was reopened by George Paget, 7th Marquess of Anglesey on 7 May 1988.
Now, the pier is free to access, but there is an honesty box at the gate requesting that each walker contribute 50p to the pier's upkeep. The pier gates remain open until 9 pm in summer, but are closed at 4.30 pm in the winter.
Due to its location and length, at low tide the site is a haven for local sea birds to access the rich mud of the Menai Straits, allowing close viewing of oystercatchers, redshanks, curlews and the occasional cormorant.
The cache is located somewhere at the end of the pier, so you can enjoy the views and sights as you walk towards it.
Diolch and enjoy.
Llongyfarchiadau / congratulations to Sasontour for FTF (25/11/15). And thank you for pointing out the proper closing time of the pier!