Directly ahead, you’ll see a long, pale structure stretching out over the water, attached to a large brick building with antennas on the roof-this is the Royal Terrace Pier.
Now, let’s travel back to 1844: imagine the swirling waters of the Thames and the buzz of clever investors, as the Gravesend Freehold Investment Company unveils their grand new pier-and not just any flimsy dock, but a Grade II listed stunner designed by John Baldry Redman, costing a hefty £9,200, which would have bought you a few castles in those days! Fast forward to a crisp morning in March 1863: all eyes are on the pier as Princess Alexandra, soon to be Queen, gracefully steps onto British soil here, on her way to wed the future King Edward VII. What a royal welcome! It’s no wonder the site later became essential to river life. In 2007, the brave souls of the Gravesend Lifeboat Station started launching urgent rescue missions from the pontoon at the end of this very pier. For years, the Royal Terrace Pier Estate Company kept everything afloat (pun intended!) until its journey ended in 2012. Today, the Port of London Authority keeps a watchful eye from next door, making sure the Royal Terrace Pier remains ready for the next twist in its lively tale.
