Clevedon Pier Wins Top Award for Third Time
Clevedon Pier, a Victorian pleasure pier in Somerset, has been named one of Britain's most underrated destinations to visit in 2026 by The Telegraph. The pier, which opened in 1869, has won the Pier of the Year award a record three times and is the UK's last surviving Grade I-listed pier.
The Telegraph described it as having "aged with extraordinary grace," noting that "across Britain, there remain places of staggering beauty, eccentric history and quiet, un-showy charm that somehow go unnoticed." The late English poet Sir John Betjeman once called it "the most beautiful pier in England."
History and Restoration
Clevedon Pier stretches 312 metres (1,024 feet) across the Severn Estuary of the Bristol Channel. It was originally built to attract tourists and served as a ferry port for rail passengers travelling to South Wales, as well as a departure point for paddle steamer excursions for nearly a century. The structure consists of eight spans supported by steel rails and topped with wooden decking, with a pavilion at its head.
In 1970, two spans collapsed during stress testing, threatening the pier's future. However, local fundraising efforts and heritage grants allowed the pier to be dismantled, restored, and reassembled. It partially reopened in 1989 and fully returned to service in 1998. The following year, it won Pier of the Year for the first time.
Attractions and Amenities
Open seven days a week (weather permitting), Clevedon Pier offers a visitor museum in the Toll House, an elegant restaurant called The Glass Box, and the Pagoda café. It also serves as the departure point for the world's last seagoing paddle steamer, which operates during spring and summer. An adult admission ticket costs £6.50 for year-round access, while children aged 4 to 15 pay £4. A family pass for up to two adults and three children costs £17 for 12 months.
One Direction Connection
The pier has a surprising link to the boyband One Direction. In March 2014, the group arrived by helicopter to discreetly film the music video for their song "You and I." News spread on social media, and fans flocked to the pier. A commemorative plaque was unveiled soon after. In January 2025, a second plaque honouring the late Liam Payne was installed beneath the original, featuring lyrics from his song "Walking in the Wind."
Visitor Reviews
On TripAdvisor, one visitor wrote: "A Historic Seaside Gem. ... Clevedon Pier definitely looks its best when bathed in sunshine. The Spooky Family Trail was great for younger children. ... Highly recommended, we'll definitely return before our annual pass expires." Another said: "Great local landmark. Well worth a visit. Timeless treasure of this town! Purchase a yearly ticket and it's a bargain!" A third added: "On a dull October day the pier team of volunteers and the pier itself gave us a great day out. ... The pier is such a graceful structure probably because of its lack of the normal seaside shops and entertainment facilities."
