Few things are as quintessentially British as a seaside pier. A stroll along the dated wooden decking is a must when visiting any coastal town.
Overall, the UK has around 60 piers – most of them built during the second half of the 19th century. While they might not be as glamorous as they once were, tourists still flock to them when the sun comes out.
And now, the UK’s best pier has been named for 2025. Llandudno Pier in North Wales has been named the Pier of the Year.
The annual award is voted for by members of the National Piers Society. Llandudno’s beloved Victorian attraction, which dates back to 1878, last claimed the top spot 20 years ago.
In second place was Swanage Pier, a Victorian pier in Dorset, while Herne Bay on the north coast of Kent came third.
Llandudno claimed first place this year due to efforts to revive the pier after it was ravaged by Storm Darragh in December 2024. The attraction was heavily damaged, with heavy winds and strong waves completely destroying parts of it.
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An ice cream business was completely removed, an almost 150-year-old unit was ripped out, while benches, panels, toilets, the pier head, and arcade saw severe damage.
The pier was forced to close after the storm, with the estimated repair cost originally thought to be around £250,000. It reopened back in February this year.
Tim Wardley, chairman of the NPS, said: ‘When I learned of this year’s winner, I was thrilled.
‘Llandudno Pier has suffered a torrid time with the storm damage inflicted over the winter,r and our members were highly impressed with the way that pier owners, staff, and public all pulled together to ensure repairs were carried out in record time to get the pier reopened.
‘It really shows what a valuable and much-loved asset the pier is to the community.’
Paul Williams, general manager of Llandudno Pier, said he was ‘overjoyed’ at the news, noting that the pier last received the award in 2005.
He said: ‘In the past 18 months, a huge investment has been made by our parent company, Tir Prince Leisure Group, in the replacement and repair of several steel piles, bracing and decking.
‘We also announced the commencement of work for the reopening of the Happy Valley entrance, which is still under construction.
‘Late last year, we faced the full brunt of Storm Darragh, which caused significant damage to the Pier and prolonged the repair schedule. Again, a lot of hard work was put into getting the Pier back up and running and open to the General Public.’
Things to do in Llandudno
There’s plenty to do in the seaside resort of Llandudno. It’s known for its North Shore Beach, over which the Llandudno Pier extends.
The pier is beloved by both locals and tourists alike. At 2,295 feet, it is the longest in Wales and the fifth longest in England.
The pier has a 4.5-star rating on Google, based on nearly 24,000 reviews. Visitors can find various attractions, including shops, arcades, food stalls and funfair rides
One reviewer said they were impressed by the ‘beauty and size’ of the pier. They wrote: ‘The scenery is breathtaking and it’s a lovely spot to grab a bit to eat or drink.’ Another added: ‘There is literally something for everybody here.’
The pier offers views of the coastline, Llandudno Bay and the Great Orme, a limestone headland on the north-west of the town, which runs two miles long.
If you want to admire the view from above, you can take a ride on the Llandudno cable car, which runs between Happy Valley, a historic park in Conwy, and the summit of Great Orme. The journey takes around 10 minutes and costs £13.50.
The top things to do in Llandudno, according to Tripadvisor
- Great Orme – a limestone headland located on the north-west of Llandudno.
- Great Orme Mines – the world’s largest prehistoric copper mine.
- Llandudno Promenade – a Victorian-style seaside promenade with a mix of sandy and rocky beaches.
- The Great Orme Tramway – Britain’s on funicular, or cable-hauled tramway that travels on public roads.
- Llandudno Pier – a ‘nostalgic’ Victorian pier which boasts a vintage funfair and attractions.
Where to stay in Llandudno
From affordable guest houses to five-star hotels, there is a range of accommodation in Llandudno.
The Imperial Hotel, situated on the seafront, is one of Llandudno’s top-rated hotels. One Google reviewer called the four-star hotel ‘expensive, but worth it’. An overnight stay starts at £166.
St George’s Hotel is another top choice for travellers. The four-star hotel offers views of the bay, with prices starting at £152.
There are plenty of affordable options, too. The three-star County Hotel has rooms from £59 per night. While the Victorian seafront Marine Hotel boasts rooms from £53.
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