Ilkeston Cam on Holiday
Part 11 - Grand Pier
w/e 04 October 2026
All of this week's pictures were
taken with a Nikon D3300 camera.
The last three images in Part 10 featuring the Weston
Wallz project all referenced the Grand Pier and that's the main
focus of this part.
During our evening strolls through the town we often saw the
Grand Pier stretching out into the sea. On one of the walks however
we approached from the town centre along Regent Street but as
the pier had closed for the day, we resolved to return the following
morning to take a walk along its 366 metre length.
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Access to the pier is gained by first negotiating the large model
of a dinosaur and then by passing the probably more fearsome
man at the turnstile and the £2 admission charge.
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Once on the pier there is a choice of routes - in
the open air either side of a covered walkway in the centre.
There is also the option of waiting at the train stop to ride
along the pier. While we were there it would have been a long
wait as the small print on the sign said "NOT IN SERVICE".
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The train, the Golden Arrow, was actually parked in the central
walkway.
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One of the widows in the walkway was covered by a plan showing
all the attractions at the end of the pier.
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The pier first opened in 1904 and as with most other seaside
resorts had a theatre at the far end. This was destroyed by a
fire in 1930 but under new ownership, a new pavilion housing
an undercover funfair opened in 1933. More changes of ownership
and alterations occurred until 2008 when another fire destroyed
the pavilion. A new building rose from the ashes and despite
the date on the front, it was not officially opened until 2011.
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Rather ominously, the entrance to the building, which now houses
a go-cart track, amusement arcade, cafes and a restaurant is
guarded by the skeleton of a pirate.
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Another feature near the end of the pier is a heart shaped structure
with a platform to stand for souvenir photos.
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We walked round both sides of the building but it was not possible
to get to the very end of the pier.
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We returned along the pier on
the other side of the central walkway and enjoyed the views of
Weston's seafront.
Back to Part 10
- Forward to Part 12
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