Smalls Lighthouse

Smalls Lighthouse is the most remote lighthouse run by Trinity House, standing on the Smalls reef roughly 27 km (about 20 nautical miles) off the Pembrokeshire coast in Wales. Cadw lists the tower at Grade II, and it is recognised as a National Monument of Wales. It is officially recorded under the community of Marloes and St Brides, the nearest mainland parish.

Can you actually get there?

Not like an ordinary attraction. The tower rises from open sea with no beach, no visitor jetty and no public tours. It remains a working aid to navigation operated by Trinity House. From Marloes or Martin's Haven you cannot count on spotting it: the distance is great and visibility depends on weather and clear air. We found no confirmed scheduled boat trips that reach the rock. The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park describes the surrounding waters as a place for wildlife trips, sailing and diving, without naming operators. If you want a close look, ask local boat operators about current options and sea conditions.

How was it built?

The first lighthouse was designed by Henry Whiteside, a Liverpool maker of musical instruments. His timber house on legs was trial-assembled at Solva in the winter of 1775-76 and then shipped to the reef. It stood for about 80 years, and life for its keepers was notoriously hard.

The present stone tower was built under engineer James Walker, with the first stone laid in 1858. It was first lit in 1861 and its design follows Smeaton's celebrated Eddystone tower. A helideck was added above the lantern in 1978, and the station was automated in 1987, so nobody lives on the rock today.

What is its story?

The Smalls gained a grim reputation in the early 1800s. According to accounts of the time, one of the two keepers died during a storm, and the survivor, fearing he would be blamed, kept the body close for a long stretch. The episode is often cited as a reason lighthouses were staffed with more keepers.

When is the best time to look out for it?

Pick a day with crisp visibility, such as after rain when the horizon is sharp, and watch from the clifftops near Marloes and Martin's Haven. Binoculars or a small telescope help a great deal. An 1870 Admiralty description gave the light's range in clear weather as about 15 miles.

Frequently asked questions

Can I visit the inside of Smalls Lighthouse? No. It is an active Trinity House station on an offshore reef and is closed to tourism.

Where is it? On the Smalls reef about 27 km off Pembrokeshire, west of Skomer and near Grassholm.

When was it built? The current stone tower was completed and lit in 1861. The earlier timber lighthouse served for roughly 80 years.

Is it automated? Yes, since 1987. A helideck has topped the lantern since 1978.