Brighton's ghostly West Pier
On a trip to Brighton a few days ago, I not only discovered funky shops as mentioned in my last post, I also joined some colleagues for a fantastic 3-course meal by the pier. As we crossed the road to reach the restaurant by the seaside, the sun was setting and a soft mist engulfed us.
I noticed an old dilapidated structure in the distance.
It seemed to float up towards us.
It was, as I learnt later, the West Pier of Brighton. Over 100 years old, it has been unloved for a while and suffered damage first from storms and most recently from a severe fire. No one was believed to be hurt although it is suspected that someone started the fire deliberately.
This is how the far side looks with the remaining stumps. Bizarrely some students appeared to be holding a BBQ of some sort near the sea.
The pier is a far cry from its glory days in the late 19th century. Today, the red notice states that these structures are hazardous.
Unbeknown to me at the time, this dilapidated pier is also one of the most photographed structures in Brighton. Just goes to show the morbid fascination that people have for such ghostly edifices. However, plans are in place for redevelopment of the pier and surrounding areas.
On a more positive note, the restaurant (an oyster and champagne bar) managed to serve me a terrific starter (cheese croquette on a bed of beetroot, salad and a shot of carrot soup) and a main (fluffy egg souffle on a pie crust with cherry tomatoes and salad). Dessert was chocolate ball and ice cream. Great taste and generous portions for the only vegetarian in the group! Can't remember the name but I think it might be the seaside branch of 'Riddleand Fins' ? It was just by the ghostly pier in case anyone wants to look for it.
I noticed an old dilapidated structure in the distance.
It seemed to float up towards us.
It was, as I learnt later, the West Pier of Brighton. Over 100 years old, it has been unloved for a while and suffered damage first from storms and most recently from a severe fire. No one was believed to be hurt although it is suspected that someone started the fire deliberately.
This is how the far side looks with the remaining stumps. Bizarrely some students appeared to be holding a BBQ of some sort near the sea.
The pier is a far cry from its glory days in the late 19th century. Today, the red notice states that these structures are hazardous.
Unbeknown to me at the time, this dilapidated pier is also one of the most photographed structures in Brighton. Just goes to show the morbid fascination that people have for such ghostly edifices. However, plans are in place for redevelopment of the pier and surrounding areas.
On a more positive note, the restaurant (an oyster and champagne bar) managed to serve me a terrific starter (cheese croquette on a bed of beetroot, salad and a shot of carrot soup) and a main (fluffy egg souffle on a pie crust with cherry tomatoes and salad). Dessert was chocolate ball and ice cream. Great taste and generous portions for the only vegetarian in the group! Can't remember the name but I think it might be the seaside branch of 'Riddleand Fins' ? It was just by the ghostly pier in case anyone wants to look for it.
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