The Royal Terrace Pier, Including The Pavilions Flanking The Entrance

The Royal Terrace Pier, including the pavilions flanking the entrance, is now the headquarters of the Pilotage Service. Built in 1844 by the Gravesend Freehold Investment Company at a cost of £9,200, it was designed by John Baldry Redman, Civil Engineer. The pier has a T-shaped construction made of cast iron, supported by three rows of three columns at the shore end and three rows of five columns under the T-portion, featuring a triglyph frieze above. The shore end is flanked by small pavilions made of coursed stone with quoins, a cornice, and a base of dressed ashlar. Each pavilion has a small turret, with the west turret having been enlarged. The rest of the pier has been roofed over at a later date. At the angle of the T is a light turret. Beyond the T-platform, there is a floating pontoon for embarkation, which is accessed by steps. Notably, Princess Alexandra, who later became Queen, landed here on March 7, 1865, upon her arrival to marry the Prince of Wales.