Burnham-On-Sea’s pier has been named among the UK’s top five piers in a survey published in a national newspaper.
Burnham Pavilion, which is the UK’s shortest pier, has been named the UK’s fifth best by the Daily Express.
The newspaper reviewed all the UK’s top piers and put Burnham on a list behind Saltburn in Yorkshire, Deal in Kent, Clevedon in North Somerset and Penarth near Cardiff.
The paper describes Burnham’s Pavilion as: “Britain’s shortest pier, a bit stubby perhaps, but full of mid-Edwardian architectural elegance and it won’t wear your shoes out.”
The pier’s owner, Louise Parkin, told Burnham-On-Sea.com she is “honoured” by the accolade. “I like to think we do a good job, keeping the spirit of the pier going for family entertainment even within the constaints of the new Gambling Act.”
“Burnham has always been a quiet seaside resort with old fashioned values, catering for people who don’t want the gaudiness of Blackpool, but a more traditional feel to their family holidays and I think we and the town do that well.”
“Some might argue that we are stuck in a time warp and that we should move with the times, but personally I feel that would alienate the core clientele that we have built up over many years. Every market has a niche and we have ours.”
.THE DAILY EXPRESS TOP FIVE UK PIERS
Saltburn, Yorkshire
The bleakest, most northernly pier in England and the only one left in Yorkshire, it’s incredibly bracing and has an antique working tram at the entrance to take you up the steep cliff.
Deal, Kent
Winner of the 2008 Pier Of The Year Award, it is England’s youngest pier (built in 1955) and the only one constructed since the war. It is known for its good fishing.
Clevedon, Somerset
Grade one listed, built in 1869, a true gem of gossamer beauty, completely uncluttered and sitting on the Bristol channel above the second highest tidal reach in the world.
Penarth, near Cardiff
The poshest of the Welsh piers, lovingly restored in 1998. A port of call for the Waverley and Balmoral paddle steamers, the last of their kind. The fishing is free of charge.
Burnham-On-Sea
Britain’s shortest pier, a bit stubby perhaps but full of mid-Edwardian architectural elegance and it won’t wear your shoes out.
