Ryde Pier
Ryde Pier seems to the third longest seaside pier in the U.K., the second longest being Southport pier and Southend-on-Sea the longest[1].
The original wooden structure at Ryde opened in 1814. At 1,740 feet, it allowed ferries to berth even at low tide, when the sea retreats half-a-mile from the shore. It was extended in 1824, and reached its present length of nearly 1/2 mile by 1842.
Ryde Pier is really three piers in one, the original pier was just the Promenade and the pier head for the steamers.
A second, parallel pier was built in 1864 to support a horse-drawn tramway. This ran from the pier head as far as the pier gates and later was extended along the Esplanade and along the side of Monkton Mead stream to provide a connection for steamer passengers with Ryde's original rail terminus at St John's Road, a mile to the south. A tram used this pier until the 1969, although horse-power had been replaced by petrol, and later diesel power and it only ran between the pier head and esplanade.
In 1878, it was agreed to extend the railway from St John's to the pier-head, this was the third pier built. It provided two tracks for trains and for most of its length, it ran along side the tram pier. Near the pier head it bends away toward the east end of the pier head. The railway link to St John's also involved construction of tunnels under the Esplanade and a number of other roads. The first train ran along these lines in 1880
As previously stated, the trams ceased in the mid 1960's, about the same time, the railway line was electrified and ancient London Underground rolling-stock introduced.
In the Summers of the 1950's/60's, it wasn't unusual on a Saturday to see people queuing half way down the pier waiting for a ferry to take them across the water on their way home after their holiday.
At various times, the pier accommodated Ryde Lifeboat (1869-1922), Ryde Rowing Club (1877-1968), Trinity House Pilot Station (1970-1995), a pavilion concert hall (1895-??) (1960's '69 Club'), various bars etc and more.
The pier also served as the operating base for Wightline Cruises and Blue Funnel Cruises.
