Great Orme Lighthouse

Great Orme Lighthouse is a decommissioned lighthouse and former telegraph station on the cliffs of the Great Orme, the limestone headland beside Llandudno in Conwy, north Wales. It is one of the headland's best-known buildings and a Grade II listed structure.

What is Great Orme Lighthouse?

A square, castellated two-storey building in local limestone, it perches on a steep cliff roughly 99 m (325 ft) above the sea. The complex dates from 1862 and was designed by G. Lyster, engineer-in-chief of the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board, working with Trinity House. It was the only complete lighthouse he designed.

What is its history?

The site first served as a telegraph station on the Liverpool to Holyhead signalling chain, with no light at all. The lamp was lit for the first time on 1 December 1862, behind a dioptric lens. The Mersey Docks and Harbour Board ran it until 1973, when Trinity House took over. The light was switched off in 1985 and the station retired. A coat of white render applied in 1974 was later stripped away, leaving the limestone walls exposed. Cadw listed the building at Grade II on 16 March 1976.

Can you go inside?

The building now offers overnight accommodation. Coflein records it as a hotel, while other sources call it an upmarket bed and breakfast. Access for non-guests depends on the owner, so check the current rules before you set out. The exterior and the surrounding cliffs can be enjoyed freely.

What else is nearby?

The original optic, together with its timing mechanism and bulb changer, is displayed in a nearby visitor centre. The wider Great Orme has walking routes, a Victorian tramway, a cable car and a mining museum, all separate attractions worth planning on their own. The name Great Orme comes from an Old Norse word for sea serpent.

How do you get there?

The lighthouse sits on the western side of the headland, a few kilometres from central Llandudno. Drive the Marine Drive toll road or walk up from town. Bring a windproof layer, since the exposed cliff is rarely calm. Late afternoon gives the best light for photographs, and clear days reward you with wide sea views.

Frequently asked questions

Is the lighthouse still working? No. The light was extinguished in 1985 and the building has a new use.

When was it built? In 1862, and it first shone on 1 December of that year.

Can I stay there? Yes, it operates as a hotel or bed and breakfast. Confirm details and prices with the owner.

Is it a protected building? Yes. Cadw has listed it at Grade II since 1976.