Penarth Pier & Pavilion

What a joy to see the sad old pier rejuvenated and looking so spectacular in the sunshine.  Whenever we visited Penarth it was intriguing to wonder what was behind the shuttered windows. Now its incredible, well worth the efforts and heartache.

"The Art Deco pavilion opened in May 1929. Unusually for its period, it was made almost entirely from ferro-concrete, including the curved roof."

It has been refurbished with a gallery and cafe downstairs and meeting rooms and cinema upstairs.

The railings really takes you back in time

This art deco building has always looked amazing, even in its worst state.  I wonder what visitors would have thought when it was opened originally?



The cafe provides all-round views of the bay with the pier disappearing in a lesson of perspective in the centre.  Coffee and snacks along with a warm reception has already made this a favourite spot for many  who live locally.  I'm sure in the summer months they will find it difficult to get in.

The Penarth Pier Pavilion Project is wholly owned and run by Penarth Arts and Crafts (PACL) a registered charity (Charity No. 1081276), established as a social enterprise in 1998 to provide a range of education programmes especially targeted at disadvantaged members of the community, to organise exhibitions of art and craft, and to renovate and sustain heritage buildings.

The glorious art deco clock facing the roadway is no up and working as it was when the building was first opened. 

Ceramic in the entrance hall of the Pavilion

Close-up of the original ceiling decoration above the ceramic circle in the entrance hall

View of the pier from the upstairs window of the pavilion

http://www.penarthpavilion.co.uk/news

http://historypoints.org/index.php?page=penarth-pier-pavilion