News

We were recently visited at WPT by 97 year old Dorothy (Dot) Medhurst. She visited with her granddaughter Anja, to share with us some of her early memories of Brighton seafront. Dot lived in Brighton from 1921 – 1940 after which she moved to Rodmell. It was fascinating to hear her recollections of Brighton in the ... Read more

West Pier Trust’s Chief Executive, Rachel lives in Lewes and has worked for a range of non-profit organisations since leaving London University in 1981. She has worked at Brighton’s West Pier Trust since 1993.  As a child what did you want to be when you grew up? Film star – failed the screen test. Who ... Read more

What an amazing tribute to Brighton and the West Pier.  Rag’n’Bone Man performs at the Brits  – 21 February 2018.  

We have recently relaunched our education programme aimed at primary  schools in the local area. Working in partnership with arts and heritage charity The Fedora Group, sessions are aimed primarily at KS1 and KS2. They feature video, hands-on activities, and a fun packed show from a real Punch and Judy ‘Professor’. Sessions can also be tailored on request to ... Read more

More than 40 years after it closed to the public, Brighton’s West Pier is now gently illuminated. Switched on in December, the new lighting installation, positioned on the British Airways i360 boarding deck, picks out the West Pier. Each evening after twilight and after the starling murmuration has finished, simple, subtle white beams are directed at the West ... Read more

The National Piers Society has recently announced the Winner of their Photographic Competition 2017 ‘The Enjoyment of Piers’ – as John Rees White from Brighton, with his incredible image of the West Pier, entitled ‘Piering into the Universe’. Says, Paul Saunders one of the Society’s Judges, ‘All of the uploaded entries were worthy of merit ... Read more

The West Pier Trust’s education sessions often include a fun packed show from Britain’s ever popular seaside entertainer, Mr Punch. An opportunity of a Brighton Beach Punch & Judy is a bonus part of a school visit to the seafront. All the ‘seaside’ history reference materials supplied mention Punch & Judy, but it is only ... Read more

Marks Barfield Architects 9 October 2017 With the deepest sorrow, the family of David Marks and his colleagues at Marks Barfield Architects regret to announce that David died on 6th October 2017, following a long illness. David spent his last days at home with his family, his partner in life and work, Julia Barfield: and ... Read more

Great British Menu 2017 winner and 64degrees founder Michael Bremner has just opened a new restaurant overlooking the West Pier and Golden Spiral. Named Murmur after the famous West Pier starlings and their breathtaking ‘murmurations’, the restaurant has already received rave reviews for its beautiful setting and honest cooking. Michael talks to us about what brought him to ... Read more

I first began photographing the West Pier in 1988. It was just after I’d left the Sun and had joined the Observer, and shortly after that began working for the Guardian as well. The Observer and Guardian both used dramatic “stand alones” – pictures that were reliant on their visual merit with just a small ... Read more

The twenty-four cast-iron columns now standing within The Piazza, east of the British Airways i360, were originally part of the substructure of the West Pier. The Piazza is an area dedicated to the heritage of the West Pier, celebrating its unique personality and charm. A large flexible space for visitors to enjoy. It’s part of ... Read more

THE WEST PIER RUIN IS NOT STABLE, IT IS UNSAFE AND LIABLE TO COLLAPSE. On the seabed there are many sharp obstructions which could cause serious injury. Often these are beneath the water and not visible. Please keep away from the structure at all times. Do not swim, surf, kayak, paddle-board or sail near it. ... Read more