Egypt Point light

Egypt Point Light is a retired lighthouse marking the northernmost tip of the Isle of Wight, on the Egypt Esplanade between Cowes and Gurnard. It no longer guides ships, but the small tower still serves as a landmark for sailors and a favourite stop on a seafront walk overlooking the Solent.

What is Egypt Point Light?

Trinity House, the body responsible for navigation aids around England, first lit the beacon at Egypt Point in 1897. For close to a century it helped vessels find their way through the Solent, showing a white flash every ten seconds with a range of ten nautical miles.

The way it was lit changed over the decades. It began on paraffin, switched to automatic acetylene operation in 1925, and was converted to electricity in 1969. In 1989 the light was switched off because shipping needs had moved on. Its original lantern now sits at Hurst Castle, in the museum of the Association of Lighthouse Keepers. The structure later passed into the hands of the Isle of Wight Council, though published accounts disagree on exactly when.

Why is it called Egypt?

The name has nothing to do with the country. A plaque at the lighthouse explains that it probably comes from a community of Romani people, known at the time as "Egyptians", who camped in the area during the 1500s.

What will you see?

The lighthouse is small and cannot be entered, but it photographs well against the water. Along the Egypt Esplanade runs a flat, easy promenade with benches, giving views of yachts and ferries crossing the Solent and of the mainland shore beyond.

The point is also a good place to watch the Round the Island Race. The event starts and finishes at Cowes, so on race day the esplanade looks out over hundreds of sails. Queen Victoria also counted this stretch of coast among her preferred spots during her stays on the island.

How do you get there?

Egypt Point lies on the northern edge of Cowes, along the Egypt Esplanade. From the town centre it is a walk of roughly fifteen minutes along the shore. Cowes is reached by Red Funnel car ferry or the Red Jet passenger service from Southampton, and local buses connect it with Newport. Parking is available near the promenade, but spaces fill up in summer and during Cowes Week.

When should you visit?

Summer is the best time, when the Solent is busiest and the evenings are long. For racing, check the dates of Cowes Week (early August) and the Round the Island Race (usually June or July). Outside the season the esplanade is quiet and good for a sunset walk beside the water.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Egypt Point light still working? No. It was decommissioned in 1989 and now stands as a landmark.

Can I go inside? No. It is a small structure viewed from outside, so a visit means a stroll along the promenade.

How long does a visit take? Twenty to thirty minutes is enough; allow about an hour if you walk further along the Egypt Esplanade.

Where can I see the original lantern? It is on display at Hurst Castle, in the Association of Lighthouse Keepers museum.