The first pier to open in Wales (1865), after a series of heavy storms it is now a much shortened version of its originally constructed length of 242 metres (794 ft).

However, this was the high point of the pier under its original owners, when seven months later in January 1866, a severe storm washed away a 30 metres (98 ft) section at the seaward end.

Erected by Bourne Engineering & Electrical Company, it consisted of three aisles surmounted by glass domed roofs, with the iron work decorated in a Gothic-style.

Work commenced on a protective coffer dam until 1940, with total costs of construction coming to £70,000 (equivalent to £2.5m today).

[2] Today, Royal Pier consists of an ice-cream shop, a pub, a snooker hall, a restaurant, an amusement arcade centre and also a nightclub.