Clarence Pier
| Location | Portsmouth, England |
|---|---|
| Opened | 1861 |
| Operating season | March to Late October |
| Rides | |
| Total | 16 |
| Roller coasters | 1 |
| Water rides | 0 |
| Website |
clarencepier |
Clarence Pier is an amusement pier in Portsmouth, Hampshire. It is located next to Southsea Hoverport. Unlike most seaside piers in the UK, the pier does not extend very far out to sea and instead goes along the coast.
The pier was originally constructed in 1861 and boasted a regular ferry service to the Isle of Wight. It was damaged by air raids during World War II and opened in its current form in 1961.
The main entrance to the pier from the road is via a striking pavilion building with distinctive yellow and blue cladding and a small tower. This originally housed an amusement arcade and cafe although in more recent years, the upper floor has variously been used for "Pirate Pete's" indoor children's playground, a Wimpy bar while the 'Golden Horseshoe' amusement arcade and Coffee Cup (originally a prize bingo hall) remain on the ground floor.
A smaller building, perpendicular but not physically joined to the main pavilion houses another amusement arcade, the "Clarence Pier" (Originally called "Wheel Of Fortune") and some small gift shops. The upper floor was originally used as a public house, but it was later converted into 'Jurassic 3001', a futuristic dinosaur themed dark ride, which opened in 1995. The ride's exterior featured an animatronic triceratops, whose head protruded from the side of the building and roared occasionally at passers-by. The attraction closed in 2001, yet all ride signage and theming on the building remained until the end of 2011. The upper floor space previously occupied by this ride underwent a conversion to apartments, according to planning publications, in 2012.
A Building at the side of the Funfair houses an arcade called "Games Wharf" and "The Boat House" (originally another Coffee Cup).
The main funfair operates on a free admission, pay-per-ride token-based system. In the early 1980s, the amusement park was named "Fun Acres" and as well as the whole pier itself, it also took up 3500 sq metres of land or so to the North West of the Northern part of the pier. This part of the park was cleared and redeveloped as Another arcade called "Southsea Island Leisure", The Clarence Pier Public House, a crazy golf course and a Premier Inn during the 1990s, therefore the park itself is significantly smaller than it used to be. The old part of the park contained the 56-seat Corbiere Spherical Ferris Wheel[1] and a ghost train among other attractions. The token booths were shaped as mushrooms.
One of the main landmarks of Clarence Pier until the mid-1990s was the Super Loop ride, since removed. The Ferris wheel was sold and relocated to Pleasureland Southport.[2] One ride which lasted the duration and remains to this day is the Skyways roller coaster. A new addition to the pier is a pirate-themed crazy golf course situated behind the Clarence Pier arcade.
"Mind The Baby, Mr. Bean", an episode of British TV comedy series "Mr. Bean" was filmed on location at Clarence Pier (as well as other locations in Southsea) and aired on ITV in 1994. This was prior to the closure of the North Western part of the park and the closure of the Wheel Of Fortune public house. The episode shows the Super Loop, Skyways roller coaster, and many of the park's other attractions from that time. Clarence Pier was also the filming location to the teen pop band, "S Club Juniors" song, "Fool No More" filmed mainly on the dodgems but the rollercoaster, 'Skyways' can also be seen in the video.
Attractions
Operating
| Name | Opened | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Solent Wheel | 2016 | A 110 ft Ferris Wheel built by Technical Park. The wheel contains 24 carriages (including a V.I.P. Carriage) which could sit up to 6 people (V.I.P. carridge could sit up to 4 people) however it was separate administration from the park. Park Tokens were accepted. The Wheel was removed in the same year it opened due to the fears that Brent Geese could accidentally fly into it. The Solent Wheel returned for the 2018 season. |
| Flying Planes | 2018 | A small Aeroplane ride that moves in a circle, and has a Disney Planes theme. |
| Toy Carousel | 2016 | A mini Carousel ride. |
| Circus Train | 2016 | A Juvenile train ride with a locomotive and three carriages. This is the first ride at the pier to be operated via a remote control unit, carried by the person operating the ride. |
| Crazy Slide | 2017 | An inflatable slide. |
| Flying Dumbos | 2015 | A flying elephants ride built by Kolmax-Plus. |
| Air Balloon Ride | 2011 | A flying and spinning ride themed as balloons. |
| Balloon Wheel | 2010 | a Ferris Wheel themed as Balloons. |
| Happy Catapillar | 2018 | A Wacky Worm Roller Coaster. It is on loan from an independent operator and is in place of Skyways until the refurbishment is done. |
| Twister | 2004 | A modern version of a traditional Twister Ride. 3 people can sit per car with a total of 12 cars. Built by Sonacase. |
| Carousel | 1998 | A modern version of a traditional Carousel, built by J.H. Rundle. It replaced an older set. |
| Pirate Golf | Early 2000's | A pirate themed mini golf course, it is separate administration than the rest of the park. |
| Sky Trail/Pier Pressure | 2011 | A High Ropes Course. |
| Waltzer | 1982 | A traditional Waltzer, built by Maxwell of Scotland. Replaced an older version. It was known as Power Spin 2000 until 2003. |
| Dodgems | 2001 | a traditional Bumper Cars ride. Up to 1 or 2 people can fit per car. |
| Pirate Castle | 2016 | An inflatable castle, located under Skytrail. |
Temporary Closure
| Name | Opened | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Skyways | 1980 | An S.D.C. Galaxi Roller Coaster which replaced a wooden wild mouse roller coaster. Today it remains the oldest ride at Clarence Pier that is still standing. The ride has been dismantled in 2018 for a major refurbishment and is expected to return in the 2020 season. |
Former Attractions
| Name | First Season | Final Season | Manufacturer | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tea Cups | Unknown | 2017 | A small Teacups ride with 5 cups seating up to four children each. This set underwent a major renovation for the 2016 season with the addition of Disney artwork. | |
| Speedy Gonzales/Speedy Coaster | 2011 | 2017 | D.P. V Rides | A Junior Coaster themed as the Looney Tunes character Speedy Gonzales. When the Speedy Coaster was removed from Clarence Pier, it was given a new lick of paint and sent up to Ocean Beach Pleasure Park near Newcastle. |
| Blade Runner | 2015/2017 | 2015/2017 | Safeco | A Breakdance ride. It is owned by independent operator Ryan McCole who originally sited the ride at the pier for the 2015 season. The ride re-appeared for the 2017 season as a replacement for the Solent Wheel. |
| Flying Kiddie Cars | 2015 | 2015 | A spinning car ride which was located next to the Blade Runner breakdance. It was owned by Ryan McCole who sat this ride in the pier for the 2015 season. | |
| Formula 2000 | 2002 | 2015 | A small Convoy Ride where a train of cars goes along a small circuit with a bridge. It was removed at the end of the 2015 season to make way for the Solent Wheel. For the 2017 Season a mobile Fish and Chips restaurant stands where this ride stood. | |
| Swing Tower | 2013 | 2014 | AK Rides | A mini Vertical Swing ride. Was replaced by the "Blade Runner" Breakdance for the 2015 season. |
| Extreme Rotor | 2011 | 2013 | A Rotor. Previous Rotor rides have operated on site at the pier. | |
| Toon Town Express | unknown | 2012 | A rotating train ride. | |
| Mega Dance | 2012 | 2012 | Fabbri Group | An Orbiter (ride) ride. Was replaced with Swing Tower in 2013. Previously operated at Pleasurewood Hills. |
| Jets | 2010 | 2011 | A mini jet ride with a Buzz Lightyear theme. It was located near Skyways for the 2010 season, and for the 2011 season was located near the Toy Town Train Ride. This ride was also replaced with the Mega Dance in 2012. | |
| Toy Town Train Ride | 2010 | 2011 | A train ride with a Disney theme. It replaced Cyclone and was replaced with Mega Dance in 2012. | |
| Disk-O | 2005 | 2010 | Zamperla | A Disko Ride. The ride was removed at the end of the 2010 season and the Dodgems have moved into the Disk-O's place. Was exported to Australia, but has since returned to the U.K. at Brean Leisure Park. |
| The Cyclone | 2007 | 2009 | Moser Rides | An Extraordinary Bike ride, where the looping gondola's are controlled by the riders' pedals. It was replaced with a Train Ride in 2010. |
| Tri-Star | 2009 | 2009 | Fairmatt | A Troika (ride). It had replaced The Extreme for the 2009 season and was replaced by the Balloon Wheel in 2010. |
| Wild River | 1998 | 2009 | Reverchon Industries | A standard 2-drop Log Flume. The ride was removed at the end of 2009 and the area where it stood was left empty for a year. Sky Trail and Speedy Gonzales are now in Wild River's former location. |
| Extreme | 2007 | 2008 | Tivoli UK | An Orbiter (ride). It replaced Power Tower for 2007 and was owned by an independent operator. Replaced by the Tri-Star in 2009. |
| Power Tower | 2002 | 2006 | Moser Rides | A Drop Tower, which was at one point the tallest spring tower ride in Europe. Was replaced by The Extreme in 2007. |
| Paratrooper | 1976 | 2004 | Ivan Bennett | A traditional Paratrooper (ride). It was removed at the end of the 2004 Season after 28 years and the Twister was moved to where this was.[3] |
| The Bounce | 2003 | 2003 | A Jump and Smile ride. It was replaced by the current Twister in 2004. | |
| Grand National | 2003 | 2003 | A ride where riders ride on horse themed cars around a guided track. After its removal the location where it was remained empty until Wild River moved into the space in 2005 when the Disk'O was added. | |
| Wave Rave | 1996 | 2002 | Keith Emmett | A Miami ride. It replaced and was part-exchanged for the Rainbow ride.[4] |
| It's A Small World | 2002 | 2002 | Ronnie Bentley | A Dark Ride which took guests through various scenes of different countries around the world. The ride is unrelated to the Disney ride of the same name, it was similar to former The Greatest Show on Earth ride at Blackpool Pleasure Beach and had teacup styled cars. This ride was relocated from Harbour Park. |
| Dodgems | 1993 | 2001 | Lang Wheels | A traditional Dodgem track which replaced an earlier set. Was relocated to Symonds Yat Holiday Park with a newer set taking its place. |
| Jumping Star | 1990's | 2001 | Zamperla | A junior drop tower.[5] |
| Magic Ring | 1990's | 2001 | Zamperla | A juvenile car ride. |
| Monster Express | 1996 | 2001 | ITAL International | A small Ghost Train. Now travels the U.K. fairground circuit. |
| Mini Octopus | unknown | 2001 | Minari | A junior Octopus ride. |
| Jungle Train | unknown | 2001 | Falgas | A juvenile train ride. |
| Jurassic 3001 | 1995 | 2001 | ITAL International | A Dark Ride themed on the premise of dinosaurs returning from extinction in the year 3001. (Also referred to as 'Jurassic 3001 A.D.' on ride signage). This was housed on the second floor of the Wheel of Fortune (Now Clarence Pier) arcade. The facade included a robotic triceratops that roared at guests passing by. The ride closed in 2001, but all theming remained on the building until 2012. The space where the attraction used to be is now a storage room. |
| Twister | 2001 | 2001 | KT Enterprises | A modern version of a traditional Twist (ride). It was on hire from an independent operator for the 2001 season and was later replaced with a near-identical model.[6] |
| The Big Wheel | 1964 | 2000 | Corbiere | A 56-seat Corbiere Spherical Ferris Wheel. Built on the north-east area of Clarence Pier, between the Dodgems arena and the Carousel. Sold to a private owner, and later sited at Pleasureland Southport in 2005. The former Big Wheel site was then used for the mini golf course.[7] |
| Scrambler | 1982 | 2000 | Eli Bridge Company | A traditional Twist (ride), it was replaced with a more modern Twister ride. Imported from the U.S.A. |
| Gallopers | 1954 | 1997 | Frederick Savage | A traditional Gallopers ride. Built on the north-east side of Clarence Pier, between the Big Wheel and the Ghost Train. Replaced in 1998 with a brand new model with a striped canopy, this ride itself replaced an older Gallopers set.[8] |
| Ghost Train | 1950 | 1995 | Orton & Spooner | A traditional ghost train (Dark Ride). Built on the north-east end of Clarence Pier. Removed and replaced with the mini golf course.[9] |
| Rainbow | 1993 | 1995 | HUSS Park Attractions | A Rainbow (ride), previously located at Pleasureland Southport and Blackpool Pleasure Beach. Was part-exchanged for the Wave Rave Miami ride, which replaced it in 1996. |
| Jets | 1966 | 1993 | Lang Wheels | A traditional Jets ride, where riders can control the height of their individual jets. Originally built for the Webber Brothers at Ocean Beach, Rhyl.[10] |
| Meteor | 1980 | 1993 | Cadoxton Engineering | A traditional Round Up (ride). Relocated to Butlin's Minehead[11] |
| Orbiter | 1988 | 1993 | Tivoli UK | An Orbiter (ride), previously located at Ocean Beach, Rhyl. Operated for a couple of seasons on Brighton seafront following its removal from Clarence Pier.[12] |
| Super Loop | 1984 | 1990s | Larson International | An imported Super Loops (Fire Ballride. |
| Tip Top | 1993 | 1993 | Tivoli UK | A Tip Top/Force 10 ride. Operated on Brighton seafront for a couple of seasons following its removal. Currently travels the U.K. fairground circuit. |
| Topsy Turvey | 1987 | 1993 | Reverchon | A Matterhorn (ride), previously located at Botton's Pleasure Beach Skegness. Upon leaving the park, the ride spent the 1994 season at Tramore Amusement Park in Ireland, followed by 2 seasons on Brighton seafront. The ride now travels in the U.K. |
| Dodgems | c.1950s | 1992 | A traditional Dodgem track Built on the north-central area of Clarence Pier, between the Slide (later, the Meteor) and the Big Wheel. Removed and replaced with the Premier Inn hotel. Replaced with a different track in 1993. | |
| Santa Maria | 1985 | 1988 | Anton Schwarzkopf | A rare Santa Maria ride - Schwarzkopf's version of a Pirate Ship (ride). Operated previously in Germany. |
| Lightning Swirl | 1948 | 1987 | R.J. Lakin | A traditional Swirl/Skid ride, where riders control the spin of their car using a pedal. The ride was scrapped at the end of 1987 due to its age.[13] |
| Satellite | 1983 | Chance Rides | A traditional Trabant/Satellite ride with basic decoration, imported from the U.S.A.[14] | |
| Walt's Waltzer | 1964 | 1981 | Maxwell | A traditional Waltzer ride, replacing an earlier version and itself being replaced with a newer model. The ride later appeared at Ramsgate Amusement Park, Cosgrove Park (Milton Keynes) and since 2011 has been sited at New Brighton, Merseyside.[15] |
| Steam Yachts | 1979 | William Cartwright | A traditional Steam Yachts ride, originally built in 1888. | |
| Wild Mouse | 1960 | 1979 | Maxwell | A Wooden Wild Mouse roller coaster. Was moved to Funland (Hayling Island) at the end of 1979, and was replaced with "Skyways". Parts of the ride were later used to construct David Pickstone's Wild Mouse at Brean Leisure Park in 1988.[16] |
| Coronation Ark | 1944 | 1978 | R.J. Lakin | A traditional Ark ride, originally built in 1937. Was relocated to Joyland Arcade in Bridlington, where it operated only briefly.[17] |
| Rodeo Switchback | 1947 | 1972 | Frederick Savage | A traditional Gondola Switchback, originally built around 1880. The ride was later sold to Six Flags Great Adventure in the U.S.A., before being re-imported in 1982. The ride is now preserved at Dingles Fairground Heritage Centre.[18] |
| Calypso | 1965 | 1970 | Lang Wheels | A Calypso ride, originally built for showman Side Stocks in 1961. Upon leaving the park the ride went back onto the travelling fair circuit. It was later scrapped.[19] |
| Moonrocket | 1962 | 1960s | R.J. Lakin & Maxwell | The third of three Moonrocket rides to operate at the park. The ride previously operated under the ownership of Gordon Codona at Redcar Amusement Park, and the Webber Brothers at Ocean Beach, Rhyl. The ride was for sale in 1968, and presumably scrapped. |
| Octopus | 1961 | Lusse | A traditional Octopus ride. An identical model of the same ride type operated at the park until 1950.[20] | |
| Rotor | 1960 | 1968 | (Rebuilt by Maxwell) | A traditional Rotor (sticky wall) ride, thought to originate from mainland Europe, and refitted by Scottish firm Maxwell. The ride was listed for sale in 1969. |
| Whirlaround | 1959 | 1965 | Edwin Hall | A traditional Twist (ride) - the first of its type in the U.K. It was sold to travelling showman Bernard Cole in 1966, and then later to Jimmy Rogers. More modern models of the same ride type would operate at the park years later.[21] |
| Chair-O-Plane | 1940s | 1964 | (German) | A traditional Chair-O-Plane ride, replacing a similar model in either 1947 or 1948. |
| Walt's Waltzer | 1959 | 1963 | Maxwell | The first of three Waltzer rides to operate at the park. The ride was named after its owner Walter Shufflebottom. The ride went on to have a long career, with spells at Butlin's Pwllheli, Clacton Pier, Canvey Island Amusement Park and Killarney Springs. It was scrapped in October 2007.[22] |
| Devil's Chute | 1951 | 1959 | Orton & Spooner | An early version of a Wooden Wild Mouse roller coaster. Was replaced by the "Wild Mouse" in 1960.[23] |
Ferris wheel proposals
The Solent Eye Ferris wheel was proposed by Billy Manning Ltd[24] for Clarence Pier in 2007.[25] On 17 October, permission for a 130-foot tall (40 m) wheel was granted,[26] but two days later it was revealed that Portsmouth City Councillors wished the wheel was bigger. As a result, the original plans, which were for a 180-foot tall (55 m) wheel, were revived[27] and conditional planning permission subsequently granted on 19 December 2007.[28] It was expected to cost £2 million.[24] The plans were scrapped because the wheel was too large. In 2015, a revived plan for a 110 ft wheel was sent. It was approved and opened in Easter 2016. Despite the popularity of the wheel, it was confirmed in September 2016 that the Solent Wheel will be taken down and sent elsewhere, which was later revealed to be ireland. In March 2017, Clarence Pier's website was updated to say that the wheel would return in 2018.
References
- ↑ Richard's Big wheel
- ↑ Ferris wheel
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20130630212216/http://www.nfa.dept.shef.ac.uk/history/rides/paratrooper1.html
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20090109202156/http://www.nfa.dept.shef.ac.uk/history/rides/miami/mm32.php
- ↑ http://www.joylandbooks.com/news2001_1.htm
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20130825045026/http://www.nfa.dept.shef.ac.uk/history/rides/twist1.html
- ↑ http://www.joylandbooks.com/news2005_1.htm
- ↑ http://www.joylandbooks.com/themagiceye/galleries/gallopers.htm
- ↑ http://cdm15847.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/singleitem/collection/p15847coll3/id/46571/rec/441
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20120709153849/http://www.nfa.dept.shef.ac.uk/history/rides/jets1.html
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20110811025104/http://www.nfa.dept.shef.ac.uk/history/rides/meteorite1.html
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20130825044849/http://www.nfa.dept.shef.ac.uk/history/rides/orbiter1.html
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20090215110047/http://nfa.dept.shef.ac.uk/history/rides/platform/s43.php
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20120315202305/http://www.nfa.dept.shef.ac.uk/history/rides/satellite1.html
- ↑ http://cdm15847.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/singleitem/collection/p15847coll3/id/47009/rec/47
- ↑ http://cdm15847.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/singleitem/collection/p15847coll3/id/46655/rec/10
- ↑ http://cdm15847.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/singleitem/collection/p15847coll3/id/46767/rec/33
- ↑ http://fairground-heritage.org.uk/collections/rodeo-switchback/
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20120403011656/http://www.nfa.dept.shef.ac.uk/history/rides/calypso1.html
- ↑ http://cdm15847.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/singleitem/collection/p15847coll3/id/47820/rec/2
- ↑ http://cdm15847.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/singleitem/collection/p15847coll3/id/47819/rec/44
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20131224023244/http://www.nfa.dept.shef.ac.uk/history/rides/platform/w36.php
- ↑ http://cdm15847.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/singleitem/collection/p15847coll3/id/46765/rec/432
- 1 2 BBC - Hampshire - How We Built Britain - Making its mark
- ↑ Shrunken Solent Eye could open on prom The News 16 October 2007
- ↑ Seafront wheel gets go-ahead – with one regret The News 2007-10-18, Dan Kerins
- ↑ Eye turnaround as original bid revived The News 2007-10-19, Sue Wade
- ↑ Construction of 50m diameter free standing wheel ride Archived 29 September 2011 at the UK Government Web Archive Portsmouth City Council online 2007-12-19, Development Control Committee
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Clarence Pier. |
Coordinates: 50°47.164′N 1°06.068′W / 50.786067°N 1.101133°W
