Grand Pier
Family Days Out
The Grand Pier at Weston-super-Mare: opened in 1904, rebuilt after a 2008 fire, with rides, arcades and soft play out over the Bristol Channel.
A pier rebuilt from a fire
The Grand Pier stands on Marine Parade at Weston-super-Mare and runs a quarter of a mile out over the Bristol Channel. Parliament approved it in 1893, building began in 1903 and it opened in June 1904, originally 324 metres long with a pavilion seating 2,000. A fire destroyed the pavilion in 1930, and it was rebuilt and reopened in 1933.
A second fire, in 2008, caused severe damage. The pier’s owners, Kerry and Michelle Michael, rebuilt it, and it reopened in October 2010. It was named Pier of the Year in 2001 and again in 2011.
What is on the pier
Today the pier is an amusement pier, with rides, arcades, a soft play area and Tiffany’s Restaurant. It also hosts concerts, weddings and seasonal events such as Halloween and Christmas programmes. Rides open later than the pier itself, so check the opening page before you plan around a particular one.
Entry to the pier is charged, and an Unlimited Ride Wristband bought before your visit includes it. Last admission is 15 minutes before closing.
Dogs, access and parking
The pier allows dogs, on a lead at all times. The pier’s rules say “three barks and you’re out”, and dogs cannot go into Tiffany’s Restaurant or Soft Play. Dogs that may be sensitive to lights or noise must be muzzled, and owners must clean up after them. For wheelchair hire, see the access answer below. The pier’s website offers all-day parking when you pre-book online, so check its current terms. The Carlton Street Car Park is where mobility hire is based.
Pier and beach
The pier sits on the seafront, not on a separate site. The sands and tide are a different matter: see Weston-super-Mare Beach for the mud, tide and dog rules, and Weston-super-Mare for the town. Check the pier’s opening page and its Know Before You Go page before you set out.
Where to stay near Grand Pier
Sample dates: 16 October 2026 - 18 October 2026. Adjust below to see live prices for Somerset.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
- Are dogs allowed on the Grand Pier?
- Dogs must be kept on a lead at all times, and excessive barking can lead to a request to leave. Dogs are not permitted in Tiffany's Restaurant or Soft Play. Check the pier's Know Before You Go page for the current rules.
- Does it cost to go on the Grand Pier?
- The pier charges an entry fee per person, which is included with any Unlimited Ride Wristband bought before your visit. Last admission is 15 minutes before closing. Check the pier's site for current charges.
- Is the Grand Pier open every day?
- Opening days and times change. The pier says closing times vary with the weather and attendance, and it posts early closures and private-event closures on its site. Check the opening page on the day, or phone 01934 620 238.
- Can I hire a wheelchair for the Grand Pier?
- Wheelchairs and other mobility aids can be hired from Dalesway Mobility Centre at Carlton Street Car Park, 01934 642 002. The pier's accessibility page also describes an Essential Companion Guide for visitors who need a companion.