Penarth Pier was designed originally by H F Edwards for the Penarth Promenade and Landing Company Ltd. Construction of the cast iron and timber began in 1894 and the pier opened the following year. In 1907 a wooden pavilion was added at the sea end.

When the pier was sold to the Vale of Glamorgan Council it was given a new landing stage and spectacular pavilion, built in the latest material of ferro-concrete, at the shoreward end. The venue became increasingly popular, with regular events including tea dances following the 1929 grand opening.

Two years later a serious fire spread almost the entire length of the pier causing serious damage; the pier was rebuilt (at a cost of £3,157) but the wooden sea-end pavilion was never replaced.

In 1947 there was another reverse when the Canadian ship ‘Port Royal Park’ was driven into the pier during a gale. The 7,000 ton vessel caused extensive structural damage and repairs to the pier took two years to complete at a cost of the then considerable sum of £28,000.

The pier was restored again in 1998 and formally re-opened. Despite a history of setbacks the Pavilion Building and its Pier remain an important landmark admired by visitors and loved by residents.