West Pier

West Pier is a pier that forms one side of the entrance to a large harbour in Plymouth. It dates from the 17th century and was significantly rebuilt between 1791 and 1799. The structure features granite ashlar and rubble walls that are slightly battered, with a low ashlar parapet on the seaward side. There are wide granite landing steps accompanied by rubble retaining walls, granite bollards, and setts, as well as two cast-iron lamp standards. This pier is historically significant as it is from where the Pilgrim Fathers sailed.

On the pier, there is the Mayflower memorial along with several other memorial plaques, including: one commemorating the departure of the Pilgrim Fathers in the Mayflower in 1620, erected in 1891 and set within a sandstone Doric portico; a plaque for the departure of "The Tory" in 1839, the pioneer ship of the colonisation of New Zealand, erected in 1939; a plaque for the arrival of the American seaplane N.C.4 in 1919, marking the first transatlantic flight; a plaque commemorating the 350th anniversary of the sailing of the Mayflower in 1970; a plaque for the landing of the four Tolpuddle Martyrs in 1838 after their exile in Australia; a plaque for the laying of iron water pipes in Plymouth in 1826; and a plaque commemorating the 350th anniversary of the wreck of the Sea Venture, flagship of Admiral Sir George Somers, who sailed from Plymouth in 1609 with settlers to Jamestown in Virginia, erected in 1959. Additionally, there is a plaque to commemorate the embarkation of Queen Elizabeth II during her visit to Plymouth in 1962.