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At over 2 kilometres (1.3 miles) long this is the longest pier in the UK. It was built in 1890 and had two sets of railway lines, there is now only one set with two trains running. In 2005 there was a fire at the end of the pier destroying the station, pub and snack bar. There is now a modern station terminal. The pier has been subject to a number of fires over the years, including in 1959, 1976 and 1995.

At the far end of the pier is a wide area that boats can moor at, and a two storey section with lifeboat museum and a promenade above. The pier is in the Thames Estuary and the sea is too shallow at times too allow larger boats close to the shore, and a long pier was necessary to reach deeper waters.

In 2010 it cost £3 to walk on the pier, and £3.50 for a return train ride.

The pier replaced an earlier wooden pier built between 1830 and 1846.

Further developments are proposed at the end of the pier. See Link

Read more at Wikipedia Link