Lundy Old Light

Lundy Old Light is the former lighthouse on the island of Lundy in the Bristol Channel, part of the Torridge district of Devon. It crowns Beacon Hill, the highest ground on the island, and ranks among the oldest surviving lighthouses in this corner of England. Today it is a heritage site you can climb, and the old keepers' quarters double as holiday lets.

Who built the Old Light, and when?

Trinity House, the body in charge of lighting English waters, commissioned the tower. Its surveyor Daniel Asher Alexander drew up the design, and Lundy was among the last lighthouses he worked on. The tower went up in 1819 (a few sources say 1820), on foundations laid in 1787, with Joseph Nelson as builder.

Why did it stop working?

The site itself was the flaw. Beacon Hill is so high that cloud and fog regularly swallowed the lamp, leaving ships blind to it when they needed it most. A second, lower lantern was added in 1829 to work around the problem. The fix never fully solved it, and in 1897 two new lights, North Light and South Light, opened close to sea level. The Old Light was switched off for good.

What can you see there?

The tower is a scheduled monument (Historic England entry dating from 1970), while the adjoining keepers' buildings are Grade II* listed. The Landmark Trust, which runs the island with the National Trust, looks after the site. The lantern room was restored in 2012, and from it you get a 360-degree panorama over the whole island, its cliffs and the open channel.

Do not confuse it with North Light or South Light, which are separate, later lighthouses from 1897 at either end of the island. The fog signal Battery, built in the early 1860s, is another separate site.

How do you get to Lundy Old Light?

Boats sail to the island from Ilfracombe on the north Devon coast. Day trips run several times a week, weather permitting. From the landing quay the walk uphill to the lighthouse takes around 45 minutes, so bring sturdy shoes and a windproof layer.

When should you go?

Pick a clear day. Poor visibility is exactly what doomed this lighthouse, and it will spoil the view too. Allow a full day for the crossing and the climb, and check sailing times and tower opening hours with the Landmark Trust beforehand.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Old Light still in use? No. It was retired in 1897 when North Light and South Light took over.

Who designed it? Daniel Asher Alexander, surveyor to Trinity House.

Can you go up the tower? Yes, it is open to visitors, and the lantern room looks out over the entire island.

Can you stay overnight? Yes, the Landmark Trust lets the former keepers' quarters as holiday accommodation.