Old South Pier Lighthouse

Old South Pier Lighthouse in Sunderland is a Victorian cast-iron lighthouse that now stands in Roker Cliff Park, on the Roker seafront in north-east England. It is a Grade II* listed building, a rating given to only a small share of listed structures in England. Many visitors know it as Meik's Lighthouse, and locals call it the White Lighthouse.

What is the Old South Pier Lighthouse?

Engineer Thomas Meik designed the tower in 1856 for the River Wear Commission. It marked the end of the old South Pier at the mouth of the River Wear. That pier had been built in stages between the 1720s and the 1750s, so the lighthouse belongs to a long chain of works that kept Sunderland's harbour entrance usable.

The tower is made of cast iron. It is a tapered column in the Tuscan style, with a gallery running around the top and a tall dome over the lantern. It is around 50 feet (about 15 m) high. The slim, classical outline is unusual for a harbour light and is the main reason the building has such a high listing grade.

Why is it in a park and not on the pier?

The lighthouse was not built where it stands today. In 1983 the Sunderland Port Authority shortened the old South Pier to give ships a safer entrance to the river. The tower was dismantled and put up again on the Roker seafront, in Roker Cliff Park. It is therefore a relocated monument, and its position says nothing about the original harbour line.

What can you see nearby?

The park sits on the cliffs above the beach at Roker, with views over the North Sea. Do not confuse this tower with Roker Pier Lighthouse. That one is a separate, larger structure at the end of Roker Pier and is listed at Grade II. The two can be seen on the same walk along the seafront, which makes it easy to compare them: a small ornamental iron column on the cliff top, and a striped masonry lighthouse out on the pier.

Roker and neighbouring Seaburn offer a promenade, sandy beaches and cafes, so the lighthouse fits well into a half-day by the sea.

How do you get there?

The tower is in Roker Cliff Park, close to the coordinates 54.931 N, 1.366 W. Roker is about two miles north-east of Sunderland city centre. The seafront can be reached by local bus, by car, or on foot along the coast from the city or from Seaburn. Take the sea-front promenade and look for the white tower on the green cliff-top.

Frequently asked questions

Who designed the lighthouse?

Thomas Meik, in 1856, for the River Wear Commission.

Is it the same as Roker Pier Lighthouse?

No. Roker Pier Lighthouse is a different building at the end of Roker Pier, listed at Grade II. The Old South Pier Lighthouse is the white iron tower in Roker Cliff Park.

Why was it moved?

The old South Pier was shortened in 1983 to make the river entrance safer. The tower was taken down and rebuilt in the park.

What is its listing grade?

Grade II*. Historic England first listed it in 1978 and amended the entry in 1994.