Friends of the Old Pier Society

19/06/2026

09/06/2026

🎥 Take a look at this fantastic timelapse from North Somerset Council showing the incredible progress being made on the restoration of Birnbeck Pier.

After years of campaigning, planning, fundraising, and community support, it is inspiring to see real progress taking shape. Every new milestone brings us one step closer to the day when people can once again walk the historic bridge and experience this unique Victorian landmark.

A huge thank you to everyone involved in making the restoration possible and to all those who continue to support the project.

Please visit the FotOP website to find out how to join - https://birnbeck-pier.co.uk

If you would like to learn more about the work of the Birnbeck Regeneration Trust, support our efforts to save and restore Birnbeck Pier, or make a donation, please visit:

🌐 https://www.birnbeckregenerationtrust.org.uk/

👍 And don't forget to Like and Follow our page to keep up to date with restoration progress, events, volunteer opportunities, and the latest news from Birnbeck Pier.

🌊🏛️

09/06/2026

🌊🚶‍♂️ Discover the Story of Birnbeck – Join Our Guided Pier Walk! 🚶‍♀️🌊

Have you ever wondered about the fascinating history behind Birnbeck Pier and its iconic island?

Join our friendly volunteer guides for a Birnbeck Pier Walk around Prince Consort Gardens, where you’ll enjoy stunning views of the pier, learn about its remarkable heritage, and hear stories from people passionate about preserving this unique part of Weston-super-Mare’s history.

📅 Every Thursday & Sunday
🕑 Walk starts at 2:15pm
📍 Meet at The Hub by 2:00pm
⏱️ Duration: 30–40 minutes
🌦️ Walks are weather and volunteer dependent

During the walk you’ll:
📸 Take in spectacular views of the Birnbeck Pier area
📖 Discover the history and heritage of Birnbeck
👥 Benefit from the local knowledge of our experienced volunteers

⚠️ Please note: There are several sets of steps along the route.

Come for the views. Stay for the history. All welcome!

If you would like to learn more about the work of the Birnbeck Regeneration Trust, support our efforts to save and restore Birnbeck Pier, or make a donation, please visit:

🌐 Birnbeck Regeneration Trust⁠

👍 And don’t forget to Like and Follow our page to keep up to date with restoration progress, events, volunteer opportunities, and the latest news from Birnbeck Pier.

🌊🏛️

08/06/2026

Temporarily it was a pier, now Birnbeck Island has been reattached to the mainland as the first new section of the bridge was lifted into place yesterday morning. Heavy lifting plant, a jack up barge, modern construction methods, really does show what an incredible job the original builders did 159 years ago. Well done to the 2026 team for another red letter moment.

06/06/2026

05/06/2026

🏗️ A Giant Step Closer to Reconnecting Birnbeck! 🌊

Today saw another exciting milestone in the restoration of Birnbeck Pier as the heavy lift crane arrived yesterday on site and began setting up the rigging needed for the upcoming frame lift that will reconnect the mainland to the bridge.

Whether the lift itself took place today or is delayed until next week due to the challenging wind conditions, one thing is certain – progress is happening before our eyes. After years of determination, campaigning, fundraising, and countless hours of work by so many people, the dream of seeing Birnbeck connected once again is starting to feel very real.

For many of us, this moment represents far more than steel and machinery. It is the culmination of years of hope, persistence, and belief that this iconic Victorian landmark could have a future once again. Every new piece of progress brings us one step closer to the day when people can walk across the bridge and experience Birnbeck Pier for themselves.

If you’d like to follow the project and learn more about the history and restoration of the pier, please visit:

🌐 Friends of the Old Pier Website:
Birnbeck Pier Website⁠

You can also support the long-term future of Birnbeck by sponsoring a plaque on a plank through the Birnbeck Regeneration Trust:

🌐 Support the Plaque on a Plank Appeal:
Birnbeck Regeneration Trust⁠

👍 Please don’t forget to like and follow both the Friends of the Old Pier page and the Birnbeck Regeneration Trust page. Every like, share and comment helps spread the word and support the future of Birnbeck.

31/05/2026

Gives you goosebumps watching the Waverley Excursions PS Waverly looking at Birnbeck (and imagining it was on approach to the landing jetty). Speaking to the team, they are very keen to see the landing jetty operational which will give Weston more visits with less tide issues on a multi level platform. What a day that will be.

29/05/2026

From the Archive – Birnbeck Market, 1984

Who remembers shopping at the market held at Birnbeck Pier?

This fascinating photograph from 1984 captures just one of the many stalls that once lined the area around the pier. Alongside handbag sellers, visitors could browse everything from fish stalls and carpets to sofas and household goods. These markets were a vibrant part of local life and brought people from across the region to Birnbeck.

Photographs from private collections like this help us preserve and share the real story of Birnbeck, showcasing the diverse activities, businesses and attractions that made the pier such a special destination. They offer a glimpse beyond the familiar postcard views and commercially produced images, helping us celebrate the memories of those who lived, worked and spent time here.

Did you visit the market? Do you remember buying something there? We’d love to hear your memories and see any photographs you may have from those days.

If you would like to know more about the work of the Birnbeck Regeneration Trust, support the restoration of Birnbeck Pier, or donate through our popular Plaque on a Plank scheme, please visit:

🌐 https://www.birnbeckregenerationtrust.org.uk/

And if you would like to join one of our popular heritage walks, please take a look at our other Facebook posts where you’ll find all the details.

Please like, follow and share to help us keep the history and future of Birnbeck alive.

25/05/2026

Step back in time and discover the incredible story of Birnbeck Pier with our guided Birnbeck Pier Walks around Prince Consort Gardens. 🌊🏛️

Led by experienced volunteers with a passion for local history, these walks offer a unique opportunity to learn about the heritage of one of Weston-super-Mare’s most iconic landmarks while enjoying some of the finest coastal views in the country.

📍 Every Thursday & Sunday
🕑 Meet at The Hub by 2:00pm
🚶 Walk starts at 2:15pm
⏱️ Approx. 30–40 minutes
⚠️ Please note there are several sets of steps and walks are weather and volunteer dependent.

Whether you are a lifelong local, a visitor to Weston, or simply interested in heritage and regeneration, everyone is welcome to come along, ask questions, share memories, and see the progress being made to secure the future of Birnbeck Pier.

If you would like to know more about the Trust, our projects, volunteering opportunities or how you can help support the future of Birnbeck Pier, please visit our website:
Birnbeck Regeneration Trust

Please remember to like and follow our page to keep up to date with the latest news, events and restoration progress.

17/05/2026

Another busy day on Birnbeck Pier as the team continues the clean-up operation. Today, steelwork that has dropped from the bridge during the ongoing refurbishment works is being carefully gathered and piled using the excavator, ready for collection and removal from site.

Every step forward helps prepare the bridge for its next stage of restoration and keeps progress moving on this historic structure. A huge thank you to everyone involved in the works and to all those who continue to support the future of Birnbeck Pier.

Please remember to like and follow our page to keep up to date with the latest progress, archive photos, news and restoration updates.

If you’d like to know more about the Friends of the Old Pier, please visit:
Friends of the Old Pier Website

Or if you’d like to know more about the Birnbeck Regeneration Trust, including how you can support the restoration through initiatives such as sponsoring a Plaque on a Plank, please visit:
Birnbeck Regeneration Trust Website