Address: Central Parade, Herne Bay, CT6 5JN, United Kingdom
Rating: 4.4
based on 261 reviews.
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."