Roker Pier named in UK's top ten and here's the reasons why

Roker Pier has been listed as one of the top 10 piers in the British Isles and the best for exploration.

The accolade came as the Guardian this week listed Britain’s top 10 piers for “dining, nightlife and good old seaside fun”.

Whilst it’s always great to receive national recognition, city residents know only too well what the iconic pier with its red and white lighthouse has to offer.

It was evident as people flocked to the pier last August (2026) as it was reopened to the public nearly two years after having to be closed in October 2023 as a result of being battered by Storm Babet. The force of the wind and waves removed around 100 metres of safety railings and damaged the structure of the Grade II listed pier.

Sunderland City Council invested £236,000 in repairing the pier which was officially opened in 1903 after nearly 20 years of construction.

Speaking at the time, the then portfolio holder for Business, Housing and Regeneration, Cllr Kevin Johnston said: “The pier and the lighthouse is one of our main assets in terms of that visual recognition of the city - everyone loves Roker Pier and the lighthouse.”

Spotting dolphins

There to welcome the reopening were the pod of dolphins which regularly fish and play in the sea around the pier and draw large crowds along the 609 metre walkway.

Many people gather on the pier to capture their close encounters with the dolphins on camera, and in July Anthony Skordis submitted fantastic photos to Echo of the dolphins leaping from the water, including mothers with their calves.

Speaking at the time Stuart Foster, 47, from Washington, said: “It’s fantastic to get back down onto the pier this morning, particularly with the nice sunny weather.

“It has been closed for nearly two years and so it’s nice to get back on the pier and to see the dolphins - it’s great for the community.”

Underground tours

The Guardian highlighted being able to explore the tunnel beneath the pier which leads to the lighthouse ,which before automation was the only way the lighthouse keeper could get to work in stormy weather.

Our lifestyle reporter Katy Wheeler experienced one of the tours when they resumed following the reopening of the pier.

It’s around a half mile walk to the lighthouse as the tunnel curves out to sea, with a host of interesting features along the way, including remnants of the old gas lamps and stones etched with the names of Henry Hay Wake’s children. The father of eight designed and oversaw the construction of the pier. He was very proud of the structure and would regularly bring his children on site during construction.

Run by the Roker Heritage Group, the two hour tours can be booked online.

The Lighthouse

When Sunderland City Council began the initial restoration in 2012, the lighthouse was little more than a shell, having been repeatedly vandalised and stripped of many of its original features after the last lighthouse keeper post ended in the 1970s.

Restoration has included conservation of the lantern house, repairs to the tunnel floor and drains, and work to improve access. Many of the original features have also been lovingly recreated.

Pier tours explore the lighthouse’s old workshop before ascending up a winding spiral staircase into the impressive engine room with its striking blue-green glazed tiles.

On the top floor is the light itself, which is today automatic and still an important navigation aid. The electronic light range of 3.5mile nautical miles acts as a beacon of Sunderland.

History

The pier and lighthouse are rich in history and represent an astonishing feat of Victorian and Edwardian engineering.

The now iconic landmark was constructed by 100 men over 18 years from 1885 to 1903. Built at the height of Sunderland’s shipbuilding powers, the Roker lighthouse and pier and its sister New South Pier were created to protect the docks and shipping at this vital harbour.

It was built at a cost of £290,000, equivalent to £32million in today’s money, funded by the mighty River Wear Commissioners (RWC) and it’s testament to their wealth and power that she was so well constructed.

Henry Hay Wake was commissioned by the RWC to design and over see construction of the pier and lighthouse.

Which other piers made the list?

Other piers to make the Guardian’s top ten list were Bournemouth Pier, which was judged to be the best for adventure activities, Penarth pier, Glamorgan, which was deemed the best for culture, Clevedon pier, North Somerset, for the most beautiful design, Gravesend pier, Kent, as the most historic, and Sandown pier on the Isle of Wight as the best for a rainy day.

Blackpool Pier was listed as the best for variety of entertainment, the Royal pier in Aberystwyth was judged to be the best for nightlife, whilst Great Yarmouth’s Britannia pier was deemed to be the best for traditional seaside fun.

With the Pier Master’s House at the entrance turned into a holiday let, Garth pier in Bangor was judged as the best for overnight stays.