Herne Bay Pier Reviews Summary

Parking and Accessibility

Pros:

• "Plenty of parking either in Neptune's carpark or along the seafront."
• "There is pay and display parking, with disabled bays."
• "Free parking for 4hrs in front of pier."
• "If you do visit you can also park down some side turnings a few roads back from the sea for free."
• "Accessible for wheel chairs and buggys."
• "The pier is accessible to wheelchair users and other persons with disabilities."

Cons:

• "Beware of long walk to beach from station if you have young children, or not so agile adults."
• "Accessible for buggies or wheelchairs only down side there was only 3 portaloos at the very end so no facilities for wheelchair users."

Atmosphere and Experience

Pros:

• "We all just love Herne Bay pier. It's ever changing when you look out to sea."
• "It's a great place to visit!! Highly recommended ❤"
• "What a fantastic place to visit."
• "A really enjoyable hour or so spent here."
• "The atmosphere is nice and welcoming."
• "People are always so friendly and the amount of things to do makes it worth it!"
• "Loved walking round the pier, had some sugared doughnuts yummy, and a drink, watched the world go by."

Cons:

• "No social distancing no face masks is all chubby in the token Booth wanted was to charge me 2 pounds for a 10 week old baby to sit on her mothers lap on the merry go round."
• "The blonde Helter Skelter child that was staffing, she was most rude and unconversational."
• "People just packed on the rides no duty of care to anybody."

Food and Beverage

Pros:

• "Real ale beer hut from local brewery Goody Ales serving nice beer."
• "The Tai Hut on the pier was delicious as always with some warm, welcoming staff."
• "Had impromptu meal from tussanee Thai food. Was excellent value."
• "The fish and chips on the pier were amazing."
• "The pizza shop was amazing quality food and the little wooden sheds with lots of Nik Naks were lovely."
• "Thai had real plates and table service. Friendly too."
• "Food and drink can be pricey but always good quality!"

Cons:

• "The cost of one ticket per ride is ridiculous at £4 so £8 a time for two is far too costly."
• "It's nice for a cold drink and there's some rides, entertainment, a few stalls, not really great for vegan food though."
• "The pier itself is ok and the selection of huts selling various items is nice, but having two young grandkids who like to go on rides it was a no no."
• "On the pier itself, the attractions are cynically overpriced. £5 for 5 mins on a bungee trampoline or to go on a bouncy castle."
• "Only downside it is a little expensive if you want to go for something to eat I would suggest the sea front as they are a lot cheaper."

Shops and Entertainment

Pros:

• "Lots of unique little hut/shops running along the pier."
• "One of the best things about Herne Bay Pier is its retail village."
• "There are entertainments for children from crab fishing to the merry go round, helter skelter and others."
• "Great for crabbing."
• "The pier has lots to offer from little trinket stalls to food stalls."
• "Some good little craft and souvenir outlets on the pier, but only the ice cream place was open for food and drink."
• "Always great family entertainment inc. shops, small funfair and various food stalls."

Cons:

• "When we visited around 3pm the beach huts were all shut on the pier. Not all the businesses were open like the fairground section and food outlets."
• "End of season so mostly closed up."
• "For a sizzling hot June day hardly anything open on pier."
• "Out of season there's not a lot to do here."
• "Minimal things to do there, everything is super expensive."
• "What a shame. What could be a vibrant focal point for the town is currently a drab, random and run down affair."

History and Maintenance

Pros:

• "Designed by Thomas Telford, the first wooden pier was an impressive 3,613 feet (1,101 meters) long."
• "The remnants of the third pier stand as a testament to its storied past."
• "Herne Bay Pier was the third pier to be built at Herne Bay, Kent for passenger steamers."
• "A wonderfully traditional short pier in the quaint seaside resort of Herne Bay."
• "Traditional, small seaside pier in great condition."
• "Herne Bay Pier has a lovely feel to it - like stepping back in time!"
• "This quaint short pier has all the things you want on a pier, amusements, fishing/crabbing from the end, huts for the local vendors to sell their wares, tea/coffee huts, ice cream parlour and information boards."

Cons:

• "Unfortunately, the first pier faced challenges due to damage caused by the toredo worm and winter storms."
• "It was destroyed in a storm in 1978 and dismantled in 1980, leaving a stub with sports centre at the landward end, and part of the landing stage isolated at sea."
• "Tragically, the second pier met its end during a storm in 1978 and was dismantled in 1980."
• "The pier itself could do with some work done to it to make it more appealing to visit."
• "Compared to its former glory (as the second longest pier in the country) this is just a short stub of a seaside pier."
• "Unfortunately it could and should be much better than it is, the pier trust has done a great job with the little funding they have had."