The second of Great Yarmouth's piers, the Britannia Pier was erected towards the northern end of the resort and was opened on 13th July 1858 by George Allen of Lowestoft. The original wooden structure, designed by A W Morant, was a simple affair measuring some 700ft (212m) in length and approached through ornate wrought iron gates hung between two rather bland oblong buildings. The cost of the undertaking had been £3,158 11s 6d.

The Britannia Pier was badly damaged by a Schooner, the 'James & Jessie', a year later resulting in its length being reduced by 50ft (15m), a storm in 1868 inflicted further damage. Occasionally during the summer season there would be evening band performances, but generally few leisure activities were offered. Open air concert parties commenced in 1874 but it wasn't until 1880 that the building in which they were performed was finally enclosed, offering shelter from the elements.

As the seaside town prospered it was decided that a new pier should be built, and at the end of the 1900 season the wooden pier was demolished and replaced with a wood and steel structure designed by the well-known firm of Mayoh & Haley. Work commenced on 13th December 1900 and the 810ft (245m) pier deck was opened for public use in 1901. The official opening took place on the 21st June 1902 when the 2,000 seat grand pavilion, had been completed at the head.

The new Britannia Pier was to suffer a turbulent history that was to be dominated by fire. The grand pavilion was to become the first victim, destroyed in a blaze only seven years after opening, on 22nd December 1909. A second pavilion was built, opening a year later in 1910, but this was again destroyed in a blaze on 17th April 1914. Local gossip has always maintained that this was an act of arson by Suffragettes who had been refused permission to hold a meeting there. Within three months a third pavilion had been built which opened its doors for the first time on 27th July 1914.

May 1928 saw the opening of the 'Floral Hall' Ballroom, a building that was only to survive four years until it was also destroyed in a blaze on 3rd August 1932. It was subsequently rebuilt, re-opening in 1933. As was usual on the south and east coast, the Britannia Pier was sectioned in 1940 for fear of German invasion, but once hostilities had ceased the pier was repaired and re-opened in 1947. Ironically, both Ballroom and Pavilion survived the war years but were both destroyed by yet another blaze on 20th April 1954. The Ballroom was never replaced but a fourth pavilion, which amazingly survives today, opened on 27th June 1958.

Originally owned by First Leisure PLC but sold to Family Amusements Ltd in 1995, the Britannia Pier offers all of the normal plethora of family amusements that you would expect to find at one of the country's most popular seaside towns. These include two Amusement Arcades, a Restaurant, several bars, a Funfair and the popular Theatre.