Photo "The Royal Pier at Southampton. Hampshire UK. Located at the heart of an extremely busy south coast port, the rather sad remains of the Royal Pier at Southampton reflect many years of expansion to the structure. Originally designed by Doswell, and built in timber by William Betts, Southampton Royal Pier was opened by Princess Victoria (just prior to her becoming Queen) in 1833. Formerly consisting of a straight neck, the widened pier head was offset at an angle of 45 degrees, and a pair of tollbooths were erected at the entrance. In 1864 a floating pontoon and bridge were incorporated at the angle of pier neck and head, but were subsequently moved to the end of the pier head in 1870 to allow for the construction of a railway station. 1888 saw the entrance buildings enlarged, and considerable redevelopment work was carried out during the period 1891-1896. This work included an extension of the pier head at a cost of £26,142, and the building of the Prince of Wales steps in 1891. A pier head pavilion was added in 1894, at the same time as further reconstruction of the entrance buildings was undertaken. New refreshment rooms were completed in 1896, and a new pontoon was placed at the site of the old pier head in 1898. For the next 15 years, until the outbreak of the First World War, Southampton Royal Pier enjoyed its heyday. It could berth ten steamers at any given time, and the pavilion provided a whole programme of entertainments, including dancing, concerts, exhibitions, and even roller-skating from 1906. After the Great War the railway had deteriorated to such an extent that the service was finally closed in 1921. Notwithstanding this loss, the important ferry routes continued to flourish, a trend that has continued to the present day. The pier pavilion was extended in 1922 and the present gatehouse, described at the time as "wedding cake architecture", was opened in 1930. Designed by Edward Cooper Poole this new building was constructed nearer the pier neck to allow for a larger forecourt area at the entrance. Although the building as a whole is very ornate, one of the most noticeable features are the six cast-iron heraldic lions that survived from the earlier gatehouse. These magnificent crouching beasts, holding shields bearing the Hampshire Coat of Arms, were incorporated into the new design. On 29th September 1931 Flt Lt G R Stamforth set the world speed record, flying the Supermarine S.B.6 over Southampton Water and, until the 1960s, his aircraft was housed adjacent to Southampton Royal Pier as a visitor attraction. During the Second World War the pavilion remained closed as it was a target for German bombers, but it was re-opened in 1947 having been leased by Mecca Entertainment. In 1963 the pavilion was extended at a cost of over £100,000 and converted to a Ballroom. By 1979 the Mecca Ballroom had ceased trading, and the 900ft (273m) pier closed on 31st December of the same year, being described by the British Transport Docks Board as no longer 'viably maintainable'. Red Funnel Ferries took over the shoreward end, alongside the gatehouse, in 1984 to use as additional car parking. The gatehouse was leased by Leading Leisure PLC in 1986 and converted it into a Pub/Restaurant. This conversion included the construction of a large conservatory at the rear of the building for use as the dining area. Leading Leisure's plans for the dockyard development were ultimately cut short when, in 1987, a serious fire completely destroyed the pavilion and bandstand at the pier head. A subsequent fire in 1992 destroyed much of the pier neck, and caused serious damage to the conservatory at the rear of the gatehouse. This blaze effectively sealed the fate of Southampton Royal Pier. With its derelict wooden pier neck defiantly curving over the water, and the ornate pier gatehouse now standing alone and out of place amid the commercial containers and bustling traffic of the Red Funnel Dock, Southampton Royal Pier presents yet another sad chapter in the history of our seaside piers. Whether moves will be made in the future to redevelop the pier is unknown, but at least we can still enjoy the 1930s elegance of its once grand gatehouse building as it proudly stands fast on the dockside." by Ronald Saunders (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0) / Cropped from original

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Leonardo Hotel Southampton

Leonardo Hotel Southampton

4 out of 5
1 Charlotte Place, Southampton, England
3.49 km from Millbrook
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Southampton. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
ibis budget Southampton Centre

ibis budget Southampton Centre

2.5 out of 5
West Quay Road, Western Esplanade, Southampton, England
2.78 km from Millbrook
Stay at this hotel in Southampton. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
Holiday Inn Express Southampton M27 Jct7 by IHG

Holiday Inn Express Southampton M27 Jct7 by IHG

3 out of 5
Botley Road, West End, Southampton, England
8.89 km from Millbrook
Stay at this 3-star eco-certified hotel in Southampton. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
Portsmouth Marriott Hotel

Portsmouth Marriott Hotel

4 out of 5
Southampton Road, Portsmouth, England
26.36 km from Millbrook
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Portsmouth. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), room service, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
Harbour Hotel Southampton

Harbour Hotel Southampton

5 out of 5
5 Maritime Walk, Ocean Village, Southampton, England
4.6 km from Millbrook
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Southampton. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
Botleigh Grange Hotel & Spa

Botleigh Grange Hotel & Spa

3.5 out of 5
Grange Road, Botleigh Grange Hotel, Southampton, England
10.66 km from Millbrook
Stay at this 3.5-star spa hotel in Southampton. Enjoy free parking, a full-service spa, and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
Leonardo Royal Southampton Grand Harbour

Leonardo Royal Southampton Grand Harbour

4 out of 5
West Quay Road, Southampton, England
3.43 km from Millbrook
Book a stay at this spa hotel in Southampton. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant ...
The Winchester Hotel & Spa

The Winchester Hotel & Spa

4 out of 5
Worthy Lane, Winchester, England
19.43 km from Millbrook
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Winchester. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
New Place

New Place

4 out of 5
Shirrell Heath, Southampton, England
17.84 km from Millbrook
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Southampton. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
Village Hotel Portsmouth

Village Hotel Portsmouth

4 out of 5
Lakeshore Drive, Portsmouth, England
27.09 km from Millbrook
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Portsmouth. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
Norton Park Hotel, Spa & Manor House

Norton Park Hotel, Spa & Manor House

4 out of 5
Sutton Scotney, Winchester, England
29.15 km from Millbrook
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Winchester. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in ...
Holiday Inn Express Southampton - West by IHG

Holiday Inn Express Southampton - West by IHG

3 out of 5
Adanac Park, Redbridge Lane, Southampton, England
2.58 km from Millbrook
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Southampton. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
Meon Valley Hotel, Golf & Country Club

Meon Valley Hotel, Golf & Country Club

4 out of 5
Sandy Lane, Shedfield, Southampton, England
16.58 km from Millbrook
Book a stay at this spa hotel in Southampton. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the clean rooms and the overall value ...
voco Southampton by IHG

voco Southampton by IHG

4 out of 5
Herbert Walker Avenue, Southampton, England
3.37 km from Millbrook
Stay at this 4-star family-friendly hotel in Southampton. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and ...
Macdonald Botley Park Hotel & Spa

Macdonald Botley Park Hotel & Spa

4 out of 5
Winchester Road, Boorley Green, Southampton, England
11.79 km from Millbrook
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Southampton. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
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KLM
Sun, Oct 19 - Mon, Oct 20
AMS
Schiphol
SOU
Southampton
$409 Roundtrip, found 3 days ago
$409
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KLM
Sun, Oct 19 - Mon, Oct 20
AMS
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SOU
Southampton
$417 Roundtrip, found 3 days ago
$417
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Aer Lingus
Sun, Oct 19 - Mon, Oct 20
AMS
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SOU
Southampton
$460 Roundtrip, found 3 days ago
$460
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British Airways
Sun, Oct 19 - Mon, Oct 20
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SOU
Southampton
$842 Roundtrip, found 3 days ago
$842
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Select British Airways flight, departing Sun, Oct 19 from Schiphol to Southampton, returning Mon, Oct 20, priced at $842 found 3 days ago