Paignton Pier and extensive sandy beach, on the English Riviera. Devon. XPL 4715-442
Arthur Hyde Denby, a local Paignton Barrister was the driving force behind the development of Paignton as a resort town. In 1870 he purchased the nearby pier at Teignmouth with the intention of re-erecting it at Paignton. Technical difficulties forced the idea to be scrapped but, not to be deterred, Denby commissioned the architect George Soudon Bridgman to design a new pier, constructed of iron rather than wood. Work started on the new pier in 1878 and was completed the following year. The 780ft (236m) pier, with its customary grand pavilion at the seaward end, was opened to the public for the first time in June 1879. The pier-head pavilion was home to many forms of entertainment including singing, dancing, recitals, music hall, and most famously Gilbert and Sullivan's comic opera, re-titled HMS Pinafore on the water, performed by Mr D'Oyley's full company on 27th and 28th July 1880. In 1881 the pier-head was enlarged to facilitate the construction of a Billiard room, adjoining the pavilion. On the death of Arthur Denby Paignton Pier was purchased by the Devon Dock, Pier and Steamship Company, under whose ownership it became a regular stop for paddle steamers travelling between Torquay and Brixham. In 1919 the pier-head and its associated buildings were destroyed in a fire. These were never replaced and a period of decline followed. Sectioned as a defence measure in 1940, for fear of German invasion, the damaged neck was eventually repaired once hostilities had ceased.
Size: 6084px × 3977px
Location: Paignton Pier, English Riviera. Devon England. United Kingdom.
Photo credit: © David Gowans / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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