Berry Head Lighthouse

Berry Head Lighthouse sits on a rocky headland just under 3 km east of Brixham in Devon, on England's south-west coast. It is one of Britain's oddest lighthouses: the tower is only about 5 metres tall, yet its lamp shines roughly 58 metres above sea level, which is why it is often billed as both one of the lowest and one of the highest lighthouses in the country.

What makes this lighthouse unusual?

Thomas Matthews, chief engineer of Trinity House, the body that looks after navigation lights around the coast, designed it, and the light first shone on 4 May 1906. The cliff already supplies the elevation, so a taller tower would have added little and risked leaving the lamp lost in low cloud.

You may also hear it called the "deepest" lighthouse. The original mechanism that turned the lens was driven by a falling weight that dropped down a shaft about 45 metres deep. The station has run unmanned since 1921, was connected to mains electricity in 1994, and in 2019 an LED lamp replaced the old optic, giving a range of around 18 nautical miles.

What else is there on the headland?

Berry Head is a National Nature Reserve. Its cliffs hold one of the largest guillemot colonies on England's south coast. A bird hide stands near the visitor centre, and a cliff camera lets you watch the colony from indoors. The grounds also include the remains of forts from the Napoleonic era and the Guardhouse Café. Entry to the reserve is free and the headland is open all year.

Before 1875 a signal station here served as Lloyd's lookout for Torbay. In October 1942 German aircraft attacked the lighthouse and the coastguard station, but no serious damage resulted.

How do you get there?

A coastal path leads from Brixham to the headland; the walk from the harbour takes about an hour. You can also drive to the reserve's car parks. Check charges and opening times with the site manager, the Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust, before you travel.

When should you visit?

Any season works. Spring and early summer are best for watching seabirds on the cliffs, while clear afternoons give wide views across Torbay. The exposed point can be windy even in summer, so bring a warm layer.

Frequently asked questions

Can you go inside the lighthouse? It is a working navigation aid run by Trinity House, so it is best viewed from outside while you walk around the headland.

Is it really the lowest and the highest? The tower is about 5 m tall and the light sits about 58 m above the sea. Sources differ on whether the title applies to England or to all of Great Britain.

Is there an entry fee? Entry to the reserve is free. Parking may be charged.

What else is worth seeing besides the lighthouse? The guillemot colony, the Napoleonic forts, the visitor centre and the views over Torbay.