A pier in the North East has been named one of the “most charming” in the UK.

The seaside attraction at Saltburn-by-the-Sea ranked in fifth spot in the “seven of the most charming British piers” list by The Times.

Piers were originally built for ‘pleasure boats’ to dock, allowing visitors to enjoy coastal hotspots for those not connected by railways.

The Times explained: “In their heyday, there were more than 100 and despite their vulnerability to fire, collision and storm damage, 61 of them remain today.

@adve_nturesinyorkshire have you visited Saltburn? with its beautiful victorian pier and cliff train. #saltburn #saltburnpier #clifftramway #surf ♬ Cool Kids (our sped up version) - Echosmith

"Providing views of the shore, a platform for fishermen, a launch ramp for lifeboats and a shelter from the rain, our piers are the backbone of the British seaside.”

What did The Times say about the pier at Saltburn-by-the-Sea?

The publisher said: “It’s the pleasing symmetry combined with the added value that makes Saltburn’s pier so attractive.

“Viewed from the clifftop terminus, the 63m track of the UK’s oldest water-balanced cliff lift is so perfectly aligned with the centre of the pierhead and the jetty beyond that the pier feels as minimalistically futuristic now as it must have done in 1869 when it was opened.”

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It added: “The minimalism continues along a deck of African oak, empty but for 11 benches and an orange lifebelt. From here, when there’s a swell, you can get a surfer’s-eye view of the North Sea, looking along the face of the breaking waves."

The Times recommends visitors and residents stay at the “lavish” Brockley Hall Boutique Hotel, as from there, it’s a 10-minute walk through Saltburn Gardens to the beach.

On Tripadvisor, Saltburn Pier has a rating of 4.5/5 out of 849 reviews.

One person left this review: “Saltburn Pier offers relaxed walks and wonderful views of the sea and Hunt Cliff. You can see many people surfing below too. If you want to go fishing, try the end of the pier. I was impressed by the condition of the pier, it’s clearly being well cared for.”

The Northern Echo: Have you ever visited Saltburn Pier?Have you ever visited Saltburn Pier? (Image: Tripadvisor)

7 of the ‘most charming’ piers in the UK according to The Times

  1. Cromer, Norfolk
  2. Llandudno, Conwy
  3. Blackpool, Lancashire
  4. Brighton, East Sussex
  5. Saltburn-by-the-Sea, Redcar and Cleveland
  6. Southend-on-Sea, Essex
  7. Southwold, Suffolk

You can read more information about the “most charming” piers in the UK on The Times website.