South Gare Lighthouse

South Gare Lighthouse stands at the tip of the South Gare breakwater, northwest of Redcar in North Yorkshire, where the River Tees meets the North Sea. This cast-iron tower dates from 1884, sits within the Redcar and Cleveland area of north-east England and is a Grade II listed building. It is owned and run by PD Ports, the operator of the Tees port estate.

Who built it, and what does it look like?

John Fowler, engineer to the Tees Conservancy Commissioners, oversaw the design and construction. The tower takes the form of a truncated Tuscan column on a pedestal, topped with an octagonal lantern housing and a hemispherical copper dome. The light shines roughly 18 metres above sea level at low water. A chimney and weather vane were taken off around 1980. Mains power arrived in 1955, and in 2007 a fuel cell was installed to run the lamp.

What is the breakwater it stands on?

Work on the South Gare began in 1861 under Sir Joseph Whitwell Pease, chairman of the Tees Conservancy Commission. Builders could only work at low tide, so the job stretched across about two decades, and the breakwater was formally opened on 25 October 1888. A railway ran along it, famous for wagons fitted with sails that used the wind to haul supplies. The keepers' cottages were pulled down in the 1960s once the light became automatic.

How do you get to South Gare?

The lighthouse is roughly 4 km northwest of Redcar town centre. You can drive or cycle along a private PD Ports road that crosses industrial land towards Tod Point, with parking at the boundary fence near the end of the Gare. Access rules change: PD Ports has restricted vehicles, campervans in particular, and has installed a height barrier on the approach road. Check current conditions before you set out.

What will you see?

From the breakwater you look across the Tees mouth to the industrial skyline opposite and out over open sea. The lighthouse is a working navigation aid, so you admire it from outside. The walk along the wall suits photographers and anyone who enjoys watching ships head into the port.

When should you visit?

Choose a clear day with moderate wind, as the breakwater is fully exposed. Evening light flatters the cast iron and the water. In storms, keep well back from the edge.

Frequently asked questions

Is South Gare Lighthouse a listed building? Yes. Historic England lists it at Grade II (list entry 1140391).

When was it built? 1884, according to the official listing description.

Can you go inside? No. It is an operational PD Ports lighthouse, viewed from outside only.

Is access to South Gare restricted? The road is private PD Ports land, and vehicle rules can change, so check before travelling.