1-232-778 - Reproduced by permission of Historic England/Heritage Images

Margate Pier, Margate, Kent, 1890-1910. Crowds line the pier which was designed by Eugenius Birch (1818-1884) and built in 1853-1856. This was Birch's first pier; he went on to design piers at Brighton West, Margate, Blackpool North, Aberystwyth, Deal, Lytham, Plymouth, New Brighton, Eastbourne, Scarborough, Weston-Super-Mare Birnbeck, Hastings and Bournemouth. The design of Margate Pier incorporated Indian style and decoration, and innovative screw piles. The pier's foundations were so strong that it lasted over 100 years. It was finally destroyed in January 1978 by severe storms.