12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- North Wales Chronicle
Garth Pier in Bangor prepares to celebrate 129th birthday
The event on Sunday, May 18, will see a fun-filled family day on the pier from 12pm to 5pm.
There will be live music, food and drink stalls, and children's entertainment.
The pier, which opened on May 14, 1896, is one of Bangor's most cherished landmarks.
It has undergone extensive renovations, including a £1 million restoration project that began in August 2017.
The project, funded by Bangor City Council, included strengthening the structure and adding new handrails on the pier deck.
The pier attracted more than 128,000 visitors in 2024 alone.
In 2022, it won the Pier of the Year award.
The views from Garth Pier are one of its highlights, with sweeping panoramas across the Menai Strait, Snowdonia's mountains, and Anglesey's coastlines.
The Friends of Bangor Garth Pier, a charity established in 2022, has been instrumental in the pier's resurgence.
(Image: Supplied) With more than 70 volunteers, they manage the entrance kiosk and gift shop.
Avril Wayte, chair of the Friends of Bangor Garth Pier, said: "We're incredibly proud of how far the pier has come, and our annual birthday party is a wonderful way to celebrate the pier's history, its future, and the people who make it so special.
"It's all about community, colour, and keeping this incredible place full of life."
Dr Martin Hanks, city director from Bangor City Council, added: "We're delighted to be celebrating the pier's birthday as part of the 1,500th year and we look forward to welcoming the community to mark this special occasion."
The pier is home to several businesses, including the Pavilion Café, the Friends of Bangor Garth Pier Shop, Strait o Gymru, Whistlestop Café, a traditional sweet shop and arcade, and Julie's Art Gallery.
Admission to the birthday event is £2 for adults and £1 for children, with proceeds supporting the continued care and development of the pier.
