A rare opportunity to buy a Victorian pier at auction

It is may not be a des res - but it is certainly a Suffolk landmark.

Victorian Bristol pier, opposite the Bristol Arms pub, is for sale by auction on November 3.

The Victorian pier, 600ft long, has views towards Felixstowe and Harwich and to the sea beyond.

It is for sale, by Auction House East Anglia, with a guide price of £100,000 plus.

It comes with planning permission for the repair and widening of the first 80ft and the addition of kiosk style buildings, linked by a stretched sail style canopy.

Mark Willett of Auction House East Anglia said: “It is a once in a lifetime opportunity to own a piece of naval history.

“It is unique and a great opportunity especially with the development of Ganges on the way, for leisure uses perhaps.

“I have been involved in property for 30 years and I have never handled a pier.

“There has been a lot of interest from the marine community and others.

“There is the potential of adding pontoons and providing moorings as one idea, subject to planning.

“It is a lovely spot on a day like today.

“Perhaps somebody interested in fishing might like to have it for themselves.”

The civilian pier was previously owned by the Marquis of Cornwallis.

It was built in 1894 as a landing stage for a ferry from Shotley to Harwich and Felixstowe.

Mark Willett explained the freehold actually extends across the river bed, either side of the pier, to 40ft so there was potential for other leisure development subject to planning permission, including moorings.