The pier was opened in 1898, having been constructed by James & Arthur Mayoh, assisted by Herbert Francis Edwards, a local engineer.
The pier, at 658 ft (200 m), was rather short; it was not permitted to be longer for fear of obstructing the deep water channel into Cardiff Docks.
It was built of cast iron with a timber decking, and acted both as a promenade, and as a landing jetty for steam ships trading in the Bristol Channel.
The pier was an immediate success, chiefly because the cruises, provided by the pleasure steamers that used the pier’s landing stage, proved very popular with the public.
In 1907, a small wooden "Concert Party" theatre was built at the far end of the pier.

During World War I, the pleasure steamers were used as minesweepers and the pier was requisitioned by the army.
After the war, it was found that the landing stage was considerably damaged, and compensation payments were inadequate to fund the necessary repairs.
The pier went into a period of decline, and in 1929, it was sold to Penarth Borough Council.
As a result, a new concrete landing stage was built at the seaward end, and in 1930, a spectacular Art Deco pavilion, built of ferro-concrete, was constructed at the shoreward end.

On August Bank Holiday 1931, a fire broke out in the wooden theatre.
A dramatic sea and land rescue commenced, with the fire department attending the scene until the fire burnt out three days later.
Over 800 people survived.
As a result, a large proportion of the pier was destroyed.
The pier was rebuilt at a cost of £3,157, without replacement of the wooden pavilion.

The remaining pavilion provided concerts and variety shows, but over time, people's tastes changed and the pavilion was turned into a cinema.
This was unsuccessful however, and the cinema closed.
After another attempt at operating it as a concert hall, it reopened in 1934 as the Marina Ballroom.
This flourished and dances were taking place there until the start of World War II in 1939.
At this time the paddle steamers were requisitioned and the pier closed to the public.

In 1947 the 7,130 ton Canadian cargo steamship SS Port Royal Park, under contract to the flag of the Tavistock Shipping Company, collided with the pier in a gale causing severe structural damage.
The damage included the shattering and buckling of the decking, but more seriously, the fracturing or displacing of over seventy of the main supporting cast-iron structures.
Repairs, including underpinning to the cast iron columns and the addition of new cast concrete columns, took two years to complete at a cost of £28,000.
The pier reopened in 1950.

In August 1966, whilst operating in dense fog, the 600-ton P & A Campbell pleasure steamer PS Bristol Queen hit the pier, causing an estimated £25,000 damage.
The last regular paddle steamer service operated by the White Funnel Line was withdrawn in 1966 although the MV Balmoral continued to operate a cruise service.
Even this was withdrawn in 1982 when cruises by P&A Campbell from the pier ceased.

In 1994, a restoration programme was completed at a cost of £650,000, including repairs to the rotting substructure.
This wood now forms one of the offerings at the souvenir shop.
In 1996 a £1.7M programme started, replacing steelwork, decking and the berthing pontoon.
The final restoration was completed after a £1.1M grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, with the restored 650 feet (200 m) formally reopening in May 1998.
The pier was opened in 1898, having been constructed by James & Arthur Mayoh, assisted by Herbert Francis Edwards, a local engineer. The pier, at 658 ft (200 m), was rather short; it was not permitted to be longer for fear of obstructing the deep water channel into Cardiff Docks. It was built of cast iron with a timber decking, and acted both as a promenade, and as a landing jetty for steam ships trading in the Bristol Channel. The pier was an immediate success, chiefly because the cruises, provided by the pleasure steamers that used the pier’s landing stage, proved very popular with the public. In 1907, a small wooden "Concert Party" theatre was built at the far end of the pier.
During World War I, the pleasure steamers were used as minesweepers and the pier was requisitioned by the army. After the war, it was found that the landing stage was considerably damaged, and compensation payments were inadequate to fund the necessary repairs. The pier went into a period of decline, and in 1929, it was sold to Penarth Borough Council. As a result, a new concrete landing stage was built at the seaward end, and in 1930, a spectacular Art Deco pavilion, built of ferro-concrete, was constructed at the shoreward end.
On August Bank Holiday 1931, a fire broke out in the wooden theatre. A dramatic sea and land rescue commenced, with the fire department attending the scene until the fire burnt out three days later. Over 800 people survived. As a result, a large proportion of the pier was destroyed. The pier was rebuilt at a cost of £3,157, without replacement of the wooden pavilion.
The remaining pavilion provided concerts and variety shows, but over time, people's tastes changed and the pavilion was turned into a cinema. This was unsuccessful however, and the cinema closed. After another attempt at operating it as a concert hall, it reopened in 1934 as the Marina Ballroom. This flourished and dances were taking place there until the start of World War II in 1939. At this time the paddle steamers were requisitioned and the pier closed to the public.
In 1947 the 7,130 ton Canadian cargo steamship SS Port Royal Park, under contract to the flag of the Tavistock Shipping Company, collided with the pier in a gale causing severe structural damage. The damage included the shattering and buckling of the decking, but more seriously, the fracturing or displacing of over seventy of the main supporting cast-iron structures. Repairs, including underpinning to the cast iron columns and the addition of new cast concrete columns, took two years to complete at a cost of £28,000. The pier reopened in 1950.
In August 1966, whilst operating in dense fog, the 600-ton P & A Campbell pleasure steamer PS Bristol Queen hit the pier, causing an estimated £25,000 damage. The last regular paddle steamer service operated by the White Funnel Line was withdrawn in 1966 although the MV Balmoral continued to operate a cruise service. Even this was withdrawn in 1982 when cruises by P&A Campbell from the pier ceased.
In 1994, a restoration programme was completed at a cost of £650,000, including repairs to the rotting substructure. This wood now forms one of the offerings at the souvenir shop. In 1996 a £1.7M programme started, replacing steelwork, decking and the berthing pontoon. The final restoration was completed after a £1.1M grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, with the restored 650 feet (200 m) formally reopening in May 1998.
Penarth Pier