The pier was originally built using cast iron and wrought iron to allow visitors to 'walk on water' during high tide.
The structure featured a concert hall that was expanded into an ornate theatre in the 1910s.
At its peak, the pier could accommodate up to 2,000 visitors in its main pavilion.
It is the only pier in the UK to hold Grade I listed status, reflecting its architectural importance.
The site was closed to the public in 1975 due to safety concerns before the major fires occurred.
Brighton West Pier is a Grade I listed skeletal structure located on the Brighton seafront, originally designed by Eugenius Birch and opened in 1866. Following severe storm damage in 2002 and subsequent arson attacks in 2003, the pier has been reduced to its iron foundations and remains an iconic ruin. It is one of only two piers in the United Kingdom to be awarded Grade I listed status. The site is currently inaccessible to the public as a visitor attraction due to the unstable nature of the wreckage. The remains are owned by the West Pier Trust, which oversees the preservation of the site's historical legacy. It serves as a visual landmark for the city's coastline and is frequently used as a backdrop for coastal photography. The pier represents a significant example of 19th-century pleasure pier architecture.
The elevated promenade walkway near the base of the i360 tower provides an unobstructed view of the wreckage.
View the remains from the adjacent Brighton Palace Pier or the promenade for the best perspective.
Check the West Pier Trust website for any seasonal updates or special exhibition information regarding the pier's history.
Visit during sunset when the silhouettes of the iron frames are most pronounced against the horizon.
Do not attempt to access the beach directly beneath the remains, as it is often cordoned off for safety due to falling debris.
The ruins are not a commercial attraction and are permanently closed to the public; they can only be viewed from the beach or promenade.
