Monkstone Lighthouse

Monkstone Lighthouse is a red tower rising from a submerged reef in the Bristol Channel, out in the Severn Estuary off the coast of Cardiff and Penarth in South Wales. You cannot land on it or reach it on an ordinary cruise, but on a clear day it is easy to spot from the clifftops and seafront, which makes it a worthwhile extra for a coastal walk.

Where exactly is Monkstone Lighthouse?

The light stands on Monkstone rock, a reef a few kilometres off Lavernock Point and roughly five nautical miles south of Cardiff. It sits within the Vale of Glamorgan. The reef is covered at high water, so it needed marking early on. The Bristol Channel has one of the largest tidal ranges in the world, and ships bound for Cardiff, Newport and Bristol pass this way constantly.

What is its history?

The first structure, put up in 1839, was an unlit cast-iron beacon. In 1859 a granite tower about 45 feet (roughly 14 m) tall took its place. In 1925 the tower was strengthened with a circular cast-iron tower and gallery, and an acetylene-fuelled lantern was installed, so it only became a proper navigation light then. In 1993 the iron tower and lantern gave way to a red fibreglass-reinforced plastic structure, and the light was converted to solar power. The older masonry with its iron bands still forms the core of the structure. Sources disagree on which moment counts as the light's start, so you will see both 1839 and 1859 quoted.

Is it still working?

Yes. Trinity House, the body responsible for navigation aids around England and Wales, looks after it. The light flashes every 5 seconds from 13 m above sea level and has a nominal range of 12 nautical miles. It is monitored and controlled remotely from Trinity House's centre in Harwich, Essex, so nobody lives in it. A refurbishment in 2016 switched the light off for a while; it returned to service on 1 July 2016.

How can you see Monkstone Lighthouse?

It stands in open water with no landing stage and no public access, so all viewing is from a distance:

• From the shore at Penarth – the esplanade and cliffs above the bay give a view in good visibility. The coastal walk towards Lavernock Point is the natural route.
• From Lavernock Point – the headland is closest to the reef and looks out across the estuary to Flat Holm, Steep Holm and the English shore.
• From a boat – trips around Cardiff Bay and nearby waters can get you closer, but ask the operator whether the route passes the reef before booking. Strong tides and wind lead to cancellations.

Bring binoculars or a camera with a zoom lens: from the shore the tower looks like a small red dot on the horizon.

When should you go?

Pick a calm day with good visibility, ideally in the morning or shortly before sunset when low light falls across the water. After dark you can watch the light flash, which some visitors enjoy. In haze or fog the reef disappears from view. Check the forecast before heading to the cliffs, as the coast is exposed to wind.

Frequently asked questions

Can you go inside Monkstone Lighthouse?

No. The tower stands on a reef surrounded by sea and is not open to visitors. You can look at it from the shore or from the water.

Where is the best place to see it from?

Most people choose the Penarth esplanade and cliffs, or Lavernock Point, which is nearest to the reef.

Who runs the lighthouse?

Trinity House handles navigation marking here and supervises the light remotely.

Does it shine at night?

Yes, it gives one flash every 5 seconds, with a nominal range of 12 nautical miles.