Plover Scar Lighthouse

Plover Scar Lighthouse stands at the mouth of the River Lune near Glasson Dock and the city of Lancaster, Lancashire. This small stone tower sits on a rocky scar where the deep shipping channel into the estuary begins. Locals also call it the Abbey Lighthouse, after nearby Cockersand Abbey, and it still works today.

Why was Plover Scar Lighthouse built?

The tower dates from 1847 and was the front, or low, light of a pair of leading lights. The rear light was a wooden tower onshore, close to the keeper's cottage on Slack Lane. Pilots lined the two lights up to steer safely along the channel to Glasson Dock and on to Lancaster.

The Lancaster & Carlisle Railway Company paid for it. The money formed part of a compensation package for the railway's plan to bridge the Lune, which would have blocked ships from reaching St George's Quay. John B. Hartley of Liverpool drew up the design, and Charles Blades and James Hatch of Lancaster did the construction.

What was life like for the keepers?

Keepers could only reach the tower at low tide, walking across the sands and along a stone causeway. The Raby family looked after both lights for years. Until automation in 1951, keepers and their families lived at the foot of the tower; later they moved to the cottage on Slack Lane, which still stands.

What can you see today?

The light is active, flashing white every two seconds, and is run by the Lancaster Port Commission. The best view is from the shore path, looking out across the Lune estuary towards Morecambe Bay. Cockersand Abbey is close by, with only its chapter house surviving. The area suits walkers, birdwatchers and photographers, especially around sunset.

Coordinates: roughly 53.9815 N, 2.8826 W.

How do you get there?

Drive from Lancaster through Glasson Dock towards Cockersand, about 30 to 40 minutes. The last stretch uses narrow country lanes, so take it slowly and park considerately. From there you continue on foot along the coastal path.

When should you visit?

Pick a clear day at low tide, when the rocks and causeway around the tower are exposed. Tides on the estuary are strong and the water returns fast, so do not walk out onto the scar or the causeway without checking tide tables. The lighthouse is an operating navigation aid and has no public access inside.

Frequently asked questions

Can you go inside Plover Scar Lighthouse? No. It is a working aid to navigation managed by the Lancaster Port Commission, so you view it from the outside, from the shore.

Is the lighthouse still lit? Yes. It has been automatic since 1951 and shows a white flash every two seconds.

When was it built, and why? In 1847, as the front light of a leading-light pair guiding ships to Glasson Dock and Lancaster. The Lancaster & Carlisle Railway Company funded it.

What else is worth seeing nearby? The remains of Cockersand Abbey, the harbour at Glasson Dock and the Morecambe Bay shoreline, which is important for migrating birds.