Whitby East Pier Lighthouse

Whitby East Pier Lighthouse stands at the end of the eastern harbour pier in Whitby, North Yorkshire. Together with its counterpart on the opposite side, it marks the narrow gateway where the River Esk meets the North Sea.

What is the East Pier lighthouse?

It is one of Whitby's two harbour lights, and the younger and shorter of the pair. Sources date it to either 1854 or 1855, and credit the harbour engineer Francis Pickernell with the design. Heights quoted range from about 54 to 56 feet (roughly 16 to 17 metres).

The tower is a stone column topped by a lantern with a lead-covered dome. The lantern is painted white under a black roof, which stands out clearly against grey seas and sky.

How did the light work?

The lighthouse showed two fixed lights. A red one warned ships off Whitby Rock to the south, while a green one led vessels safely into the harbour. Around 1914 the pier was lengthened by about 150 metres, and a new navigation light went up on the new seaward end. That light took over the working role, but the original tower remains in place.

Is it a listed building?

Yes. Historic England lists it at Grade II (list entry 1261631), a designation dating from 1972. The pier it stands on has a separate Grade II listing; its origins are medieval, and rebuilding began in 1702. The tower is no longer in use as a navigation light.

What can you see there?

A walk along the pier gives the best view of the lighthouse and the harbour mouth. You can look across the channel to the West Pier lighthouse, and on clear days the ruins of Whitby Abbey on the clifftop show up behind the town. Photographers favour sunrise, sunset and stormy weather, when waves break against the stonework.

When should you visit?

The pier is open to look around all year. Summer is busiest, so mornings are calmer. In autumn and winter the sea can be dramatic, but the stone surface gets wet and slippery. In strong wind or heavy swell, keep well back from the edge.

How is it different from the West Pier lighthouse?

They are two separate structures. The West Pier tower is taller and different in form, while the East Pier lighthouse described here is lower, column-shaped and domed. Together they frame the entrance to Whitby harbour.

Frequently asked questions

When was the East Pier lighthouse built? In 1854 or 1855, depending on the source. Francis Pickernell designed it.

How tall is it? Sources give roughly 54 to 56 feet, or about 16 to 17 metres.

Is it a protected building? Yes, it is Grade II listed by Historic England (entry 1261631).

Is it the same as the West Pier lighthouse? No. It is a separate, shorter and later lighthouse on the opposite side of the harbour entrance.