Gorleston South Pier Lighthouse

Gorleston South Pier Lighthouse sits at the seaward end of the south pier in Gorleston-on-Sea, part of Great Yarmouth in Norfolk. The pier guards the mouth of the River Yare, the route ships take into Great Yarmouth's port. Don't expect a classic tower: this is a low, practical brick-and-concrete building with the light mounted on its roof.

What kind of lighthouse is it?

A fixed white light first showed on the south pier in 1852 to mark the harbour entrance. The present building dates from 1955, when the pier head was rebuilt, and it originally doubled as the harbourmaster's office. The light sits on the roof at a focal height of about 11 metres, and the building also carries a fog signal. Great Yarmouth Port Authority operates it.

What can you see at the pier end?

The building houses a National Coastwatch Institution station, where volunteers watch the river mouth and the surrounding coast. Visitors are welcome to drop in and ask about the work. From the pier head you can watch crew-transfer vessels heading out to North Sea wind farms, harbour traffic entering the Yare, Gorleston beach on one side and the north pier opposite. During the Second World War the pier carried an anti-torpedo-boat battery, according to the Norfolk Heritage Explorer record.

How do you get there?

Gorleston-on-Sea lies on the south bank of the Yare, a few kilometres from central Great Yarmouth. Buses run from Great Yarmouth, and there is parking near the beach and promenade. From the promenade the walk out along the pier takes roughly ten to fifteen minutes. The coordinates are approximately 52.572° N, 1.738° E.

When should you visit?

Summer and early autumn suit best: days are long and the Coastwatch station stays open for more hours. Avoid the pier in strong winds or storms, as it is exposed and waves can break over the edge. A walk out at sunset is a good choice when the light on the roof starts to stand out against the sky.

Is this the listed lighthouse in Gorleston?

No. A separate red-brick tower on Quay Road, dated 1887, is Grade II listed. It is a former rear range light and a different structure from the pier-head lighthouse. Keep the two apart when planning a visit.

Frequently asked questions

Can you go inside the lighthouse? Not up the light itself, but you can walk to the building at the pier end and visit the Coastwatch station when it is open.

Is there an entry fee for the pier? No. The pier is part of Gorleston's public seafront.

Is it the historic listed tower? No. The listed 1887 tower stands on Quay Road. The pier lighthouse is a 1955 building.

What else is nearby? Gorleston's wide sandy beach, the seafront promenade and the busy river mouth.