Penarth's rock-strewn shoreline may not be particularly attractive but it is the closest beach to Cardiff. In 1894 it was graced with that icon of the Victorian seaside, a pier. An elegant Art Deco pavilion followed in 1927, but it went into decline and for decades it was left to decay. Following major restorations, the pavilion has now reopened, complete with a brand-new gallery, cinema and cafe.
