North Pier
The North pier at Blackpool is so named because of its close proximity to the railway station Blackpool North: it is not very far north of the town geographically, since it is only about 400 metres north of Blackpool’s iconic Tower.
The North Pier was opened in 1863 and it is one of the few designs by Eugenius Birch, which is still standing. It is some 500 metres in length and a very classic ‘seaside’ pier, which has resulted in it becoming a Listed building, with a
Grade 2 status as defined by English Heritage. The architecture is certainly very Victorian and imposing, with an Indian pavilion and a theatre as well. It looks quite grand and is certainly a reminder of the pride which seaside resorts had in the 19th Century. However, it I still much loved today and the National Piers Society voted it to be the Pier of the Year in 2004, so its popularity is certainly not on the wane.
It is slightly more refined and traditional than the other two piers and this is reflected in its use, the North Pier is where people take a gentle stroll, breathe in the sea air and lounge in the sun and it does not have the same range of facilities and amusement arcades etc as the other two piers. Somehow the pier appears almost aloof due to its timeless elegance and it does have an air of being a throwback in terms of time, which makes it an interesting place to visit and it is also a little bit quieter and more relaxed than its rather louder neighbours!