South Pier, Penzance

South Pier is located in Penzance, Cornwall, England. The original pier predated 1512, but was rebuilt in the 18th century. The pier is a Grade II* listed building.

South Pier
South Pier in 2008
General information
StatusComplete
TypePier
ClassificationGrade II*
LocationPenzance, Cornwall, England
Town or cityPenzance
CountryUnited Kingdom
Coordinates50°7′0″N 05°31′46″W
Construction started18th century

History

The original South Pier was built before 1512,[1] the year that the current harbour in Penzance was built.[2] It was believed to have been up to 85 metres (279 ft) long.[1] The pier was rebuilt in the 18th century, with a small extension built between 1785 and 1787.[1] It was one of the largest maritime engineering projects in 18th century Cornwall.[1] The pier was further extended in 1812, at a cost of £6,900,[1][2] and later between 1853 and 1855, it was extended again.[1] At this time, a lighthouse was added to the end of the pier,[3] to help navigation for boats around the nearby Mount's Bay. The lighthouse is 22 feet (6.7 m) tall, and its light is around 33 feet (10 m) above the high water level.[4]

South Pier is built of granite and elvan.[1] In 2003, South Pier became a listed building.[1] In 2010, its status was upgraded from Grade II to Grade II*, which affected proposed redevelopment work on the harbour in order to provide a ferry link from there to the Isles of Scilly.[5]

References
  1. "South Pier". Historic England. Retrieved 30 December 2020.
  2. "The Harbour & Penzance's Maritime Centre". Purely Penzance. Retrieved 30 December 2020.
  3. "A Brief History of Penzance, Cornwall, England". Local Histories. Retrieved 30 December 2020.
  4. H.O. Pub. United States Hydrographic Office. 1872. p. 23.
  5. "Penzance's South Pier given upgraded heritage status". BBC News. 29 June 2010. Retrieved 30 December 2020.
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