Wellington Pier
Welcome to Wellington Pier on south beach, a captivating destination along the serene coastal town of Great Yarmouth. This historical pier has been standing tall since 1853, offering a harmonious blend of leisure activities, breathtaking views, and unforgettable experiences. Join us as we embark on a virtual journey, exploring the splendid attractions that make Wellington Pier a must-visit destination for locals and tourists alike. The eye-catching heart of Wellington Pier lies within the bright lights of the vibrant amusement arcade, where excitement and laughter fill the air. Step inside and let the dazzling lights and buzzing sounds transport you to a world of thrilling games and entertaining challenges. Whether you’re a fan of classic arcade games or crave the thrill of modern gaming machines, Wellington Pier’s arcade has it all. Earn tokens, scoop up prizes, and let the inner child in you run wild!
Wellington Pier and Winter Gardens History
The Wellington Pier, located in Great Yarmouth, was made as a tribute to the 1st duke of Wellington and located at the southern end of the golden mile beach seafront. It was opened in 1853 and was successful until 1958, when the second pier in Great Yarmouth on North beach nearby was opened. The new pier was named the Britannia Pier, and its success infuriated the owners of the Wellington Pier. They tried almost everything to make their pier more successful, but it just wouldn’t happen. This lasted over 40 years, until they finally decided their efforts weren’t worth it and they decided to sell the pier. The buyer was the Great Yarmouth Corporation, they bought the Pier in 1899.
Under new management, the pier enjoyed success for the early part of the 1900’s. They had military bands playing and firework shows! An important additional to the Great Yarmouth Wellington Pier during this time was the Winter Gardens as well as the construction of a new Pavilion on the Pier. The Winter Gardens attraction was acquired from Torquay where the feature had failed to impress visitors. The piers success continued until wartime with many visitors enjoying the Great Yarmouth Norfolk Britannia Pier attractions. Much like other businesses in the area during this era, the Pier fell upon hard times. The Pier was neglected and eventually fell into ruin. After things got so bad in 1996, something had to change if the pier was to continue it’s life.
Wellington Pier Recent Years
Comic Jim Davidson rented the pier with hopes of restoring it back to it’s former glory. He tried hard, but could not complete this task and gave up on Great Yarmouths Wellington Pier in 2002. During 2005 the front section of the pier was totally converted to a large amusement arcade complex and up until 2008 popular celebrities put on shows in the Pavilion Theatre. More recently the theatre has been converted into a large 10-lane bowling alley with a restaurant bar, Ocean View Lounge. Work went on for a while creating the new bowling alley, and the new Pavilion building was eventually reopened to the public by the current owners Family Amusement Company. The entire pier has been transformed and now houses an arcade, a bowling alley and a small slot machine casino style amusement arcade with a Cafe and a Bar restaurant. While the success of this venue is still yet to be determined, there is no denying the Wellington Pier is well on its way to being restored to its former glory.
