Bangor's Garth Pier named one of Britain's best by The Guardian in its 130th year

Bangor's Garth Pier has been celebrating its 130th birthday, and it has received a fine present. The Guardian has named it one of Britain's top ten piers, ranking it Best for Overnight Stays.

The accolade is thanks to the Pier Master's House at the entrance, which had stood empty since 2022 and has been completely refurbished as a holiday let, available through Pass The Keys. It is an initiative of the Friends of Bangor's Garth Pier, with profits reinvested directly into the upkeep of the pier.

The house, which sleeps six, is steeped in history and predates the pier itself. It was originally associated with the ferry crossing between Bangor and Anglesey and later became part of the pier's operation after it was built in 1896.

The Guardian described how Bangor's 458-metre pier stretches halfway across the Menai Strait, with the mountains of Eryri as a backdrop. It noted that the pavilion at the far end is now a café and that the Victorian kiosks along the pier house independent businesses selling gifts, artworks and local food, with a programme of weekend events over the summer, from busking and children's fun days to a dog parade.

Bangor Pier is one of only three Grade II starred listed piers in the UK and is the longest pier in Wales. The Friends describe it as a fine example of Victorian engineering, with stunning natural surroundings, and they welcome new friends and volunteers to help preserve, restore and improve it.

Llandudno, along the coast, has its own pier glory too: The Guardian noted that it won the 2025 Pier of the Year award. Bangor's pier also hosts weddings, and its history pages tell the story of its construction and its 2017 restoration.

For a stroll with a view, a coffee at the pavilion or a night in a house that has watched the Strait for well over a century, the pier has plenty to offer.

Find out about visiting, booking the Pier Master's House or volunteering at bangorpier.org.