Most visitors and locals alike have fond memories of the Herne Bay Pier, especially those of us who remember it in its hay day. The space below is an opportunity to share those memories. If you have stories to share about Herne Bay's Pier please send them to us by clicking on the link below.
“I remember taking trips to Southend on the Medway Queen……..”
Anne Bourne - Herne Bay
“I remember the Fur and Feathers competition which was held annually on the pier. My mother would bring our budgerigars to show…………”
“I remember coming to Herne Bay each year for a day trip all the way from Stepney. It was the highlight of our summer holidays. We would head straight for the pier to ride on the little steam train. It was great fun……….. ”
Philip Gray - Sidcup
"I am the eldest of four children all having been brought up in Pier Avenue, Herne Bay. We can remember travelling along the pier on the train with our parents to board the Medway Queen. The year was 1952/3 ."
Mrs C Wray - Herne Bay
Jackie Hodgkinson sent us her memories of Herne Bay in the 1960s.
“When I moved to Herne Bay in 1965 at the age of 14, I was so happy to be beside the seaside, but when I first went on the pier, not only could I be by the sea I could actually walk right into it. I quickly made new friends, many of who were keen fishermen, and we subsequently spent many hours every week on and around the pier.
The pier was the focal point of the town. It was nearly three quarters of a mile long with a skating rink at one end and a café at the other. Lots of iron structures, seats and shelters, and wonderful views looking out and looking down. Sadly by that time, the little train had stopped chugging along its length carrying those who couldn’t or didn’t want to walk that far out to sea.
I spent many happy hours and days skating manically around the rink and slightly more peaceful ones fishing from various spots along and at the end of the pier. I remember catching many dabs which Dad then cleaned ready for a delicious fresh meal. The local fishing association held many competitions with locals and outsiders spending days on the pier trying to catch the biggest or the largest amount of fish, with many spectators all telling them how to do it.
The pier was an adventure playground and a charming walkway at the same time. With the light at its end providing a beacon in the night to welcome and guide the fishermen back in to safety after a hard days work.
Some fishermen also ran pleasure trips and the Sea Spray, a lovely caval built boat would take people around the pier, providing an opportunity to see it from the other side and from the bottom up. I remember rows and rows of massive iron legs covered in barnacles seemingly striding endlessly into the sea.
When the severe storm took away the middle of the pier it was a really sad day. But its start and end still remain waiting patiently to be joined together again so that new and future generations can once again enjoy its magical presence.
To add a memory to our reminiscence page, please click on the link below