Coastal Piers in Wales: Hubs for Recreation and Wildlife

Welsh piers serve as vibrant centers of activity, drawing a diverse array of individuals from wildlife enthusiasts and anglers to day-trippers and cold-water swimmers. In mid Wales, Aberystwyth Royal Pier in Ceredigion attracts both those who enjoy amusement arcades and large flocks of roosting starlings, whose spectacular murmurations gather significant crowds. To the north, visitors to Bangor Garth Pier are drawn by its art gallery, craft shops, and tearoom. On a bright October day, angler Jay Lewis, 55, was observed enjoying the tranquil vistas of the Severn Estuary from Penarth Pier in the Vale of Glamorgan, south Wales. He had journeyed for nearly an hour from his residence in Pontypool, Torfaen, for the outing. He explained, “I suffer with depression and it’s the only thing that helps.” He added, “It’s just relaxing and you get plenty of time to think.” Mr. Lewis, a member of the Penarth Sea Angling Club, visits the pier to catch bass, cod, rays, and eels, and also values the social interaction. He stated, “I enjoy people coming on to me to see what I’ve been catching.” He further noted, “And it’s easy fishing, you’ve got the toilets, you’ve got the shops and the views are lovely.” Penarth Pier, which is now 117 years old and instantly recognizable by its art deco styled pavilion building, permits fishing for nine months each year. John Atkinson, 69, from nearby Llandough, has been an angler for 45 years, and the pier is his preferred location. He remarked, “It takes your mind away from other things. You can just concentrate on the fishing and it takes away all your problems.” He continued, “You strike up friendships with people where you’ve got something in common.” Mr. Atkinson also shared, “I’ve met people from America, Canada, Australia, all over – tourists ask you what you’re catching and you strike up conversation.” Approximately 200 miles (321 km) north of Penarth is Wales’ longest pier, Llandudno, situated in the county of Conwy. Originally 242 ft (72m) long upon its inauguration in 1858, it was extended in 1877 and now measures 2,295ft (700m). This Grade II-listed structure was honored with the National Piers Society pier of the year award in 2005. Earlier this year, it was announced that its fishing platform would be closed indefinitely following a series of incidents. The general manager communicated on social media, “The frequency in verbal abuse we’re receiving and constant damage to the gate is relentless.” They added, “We wanted everyone to enjoy themselves and unfortunately the minority has ruined it for others.” The town gained national attention during the Covid pandemic when a herd of approximately 122 Kashmiri goats descended from the Great Orme and occupied the deserted town centre, consuming hedges and garden flowers. A range of Llandudno goats merchandise, including t-shirts and tote bags, was swiftly introduced and has since raised thousands of pounds for the town’s hospice. Visitors to New Quay’s pier in Ceredigion, mid Wales, can experience a distinct type of wildlife encounter. Marine life-spotting excursions depart from the pier, heading into Cardigan Bay. This bay is home to an estimated 200 dolphins, constituting Wales’ only semi-resident population of bottlenose dolphins and the largest in the UK. The bay also supports harbour porpoises, Atlantic grey seals, and various bird species, including razorbills and guillemots. The stone pier, constructed in the 1830s, remains crucial to the seaside town’s industry. “It is the main focus of the town,” stated skipper Jonathan Evans, who dedicates his days to collecting visitors from the pier before showcasing the area’s wildlife from his boat, the Suncatcher. After spending 19 years as a photographer in London, he opted to return to Wales to assist his father with the family business. He commented, “We are privileged to have wild dolphins here and that never gets old, every single day you see wild dolphins and its exciting.” Lauren Walthour, a Suncatcher crew member with a degree in Marine Biology, explained that the pier’s structure creates optimal conditions for dolphins to feed. She elaborated, “The pier juts out to sea and so when the tides come in and out it forces the fish around the very tip of it, kind of trapping them, and these dolphins will use those tides to get some easy pickings for a meal.” She described the pier as a “dolphin hot spot.” Ms. Walthour noted that because Cardigan Bay is shallow, reaching about 60m at its deepest, the dolphins face no predators such as orcas or sharks. She further stated, “So these dolphins are top of the food chain and the apex predator so this is a really safe, shallow protected nursery for these mothers to raise their calves and that’s why their population is currently thriving so well.” She observed that all visitors were captivated by the dolphins. “They are just very charismatic, very playful, very social, very curious and very intelligent and that’s why people love them,” she affirmed. She concluded, “Any encounter with them, whether its short or long, is always incredible.” Photography by Greg Davies Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.