Brighton Marina

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Brighton, was originally called Beorthelm’s Tun or farm, after the fifth century Saxon invader, Beorthelm, who made the first settlement on this patch of English coastland. That vast farm, became so big and prosperous, it became a complete town, but all the fishermen lived outside the farm, just a little further east, under the cliffs. The fishing industry thrived and fishermen daily sold their catches on the beach, a custom that continues on a very small scale to this day.

Brighton has been a port since the fourteenth century. It was used despite its lack of natural harbour because of the prevailing winds that blew onshore, and the ease of transport to London. At one time it was the quickest London to Paris route.

In 1806 a proposal for a wharf along with 50 warehouses and a graving dock (or dry dock from which the water can be pumped out) was put forward. The Chain Pier was built and opened in 1823. This was Brighton’s third pier about which little is known locally. It was a suspension pier, like a one ended suspension bridge, built of wrought iron and cast iron and 200 tons of Purbeck granite. All this stood on oak piles set deep into the seabed. It was over 1000 feet long and had four huge towers shaped like Egyptian Pylons. The pier was used for loading and unloading cargo ships, so rowing boats did not have to be used between ship and shore. But it soon became a local promenade and attraction, even having a camera obscura. In 1830 Captain Samuel Brown, who originally designed and built the pier, suggested it be filled with chalk to form a harbour wall, but the idea was discarded as too expensive.
In December 1896 the pier was destroyed by a great winter storm.

In the 1960s Henry Cohen planned a large yacht marina reclaimed from the sea, with leisure structures on the land.
Work began in winter 1971, and expansion still continues. In 1978 the marina opened to the first boats. Now there are homes as well as shops, restaurants and entertainment. Several areas of further development have been announced including a multi-story tower building of some kind. It is a very dynamic, yet attractive and relaxing part of Brighton. Definitely one of my favourite places, and I make the hours walk from my home to the marina, at least once a week.

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