The Ghost of Eastbourne Pier

Eastbourne Pier, opened in 1870, stretches into the English Channel as one of the finest Victorian piers in England. After dark, when the holiday crowds have gone, a solitary figure in Victorian dress has been seen walking the boards.

The Pier

The pier was built during Eastbourne’s Victorian heyday as a fashionable resort. It has survived storms, fires, and the general decline of British seaside piers. The structure retains much of its original character and atmosphere.

The Victorian Gentleman

The ghost appears as a man in dark Victorian clothing, complete with top hat. He walks the length of the pier slowly, as if deep in thought. When observers approach, he vanishes. He is most often seen in the early morning or at twilight.

The Identity

Various theories exist about the ghost’s identity. Some suggest he was a businessman who lost everything and drowned himself from the pier. Others believe he was a visitor who died during a holiday. His identity has never been established.

The 2014 Fire

A serious fire damaged the pier in 2014, destroying part of the structure. Since the restoration, some have reported increased supernatural activity, as if the trauma of the fire disturbed dormant presences.

Staff Experiences

Pier workers have reported unusual experiences after hours: footsteps on empty sections, doors opening and closing, and glimpses of figures that vanish when investigated. The Victorian ghost is only the most commonly reported phenomenon.

Assessment

Eastbourne Pier’s long history as a place of leisure, but also occasionally tragedy, has created conditions for haunting. The Victorian gentleman may represent any number of pier visitors who found their final rest in the waters below.