Coast in the United Kingdom

Newhaven East Pier Light

Newhaven

Newhaven East Pier Light marks the seaward end of the eastern breakwater at Newhaven harbour in East Sussex, on England's south coast. Its green light guides ferries, fishing boats and yachts into the mouth of the River Ouse from the English Channel. What is the East Pier Light? It is a harbour light standing at the tip of the east pier, the breakwater that shelters the harbour entrance. It sits at roughly 50.780 N, 0.060 E. Don't confuse it with the lights of the same name in Newhaven, Edinburgh, or with the separate light on the west pier. How has the light changed over time? A wooden lattice tower about 12 metres high went up on the pier end in the 1880s (1883 in some accounts). In 1928 a steel lattice tower of similar height took its place, showing a flashing green light. Vandalism plagued the structure, demolition was proposed in 2002, and after a reprieve the tower came down around 2006. Today the light is carried on a slim white pole banded in green. What does the light look like? The current light is green and flashing, with a range of about six nautical miles. Green is the colour used on the starboard side of the entrance channel when you head into port, so it forms part of the harbour's wider marking system. Can you walk out to it? Until 2002 the public could walk along the breakwater to the light. The port authority has since closed that access, so you cannot reach the pier end. The light is still visible from the shore and the surrounding waterfront. What else is nearby? Newhaven is a ferry port with sailings to Dieppe in France, and Newhaven Fort overlooks the harbour entrance. A stroll along the seafront and beach gives a clear view of the breakwater and its light, and the Seven Sisters cliffs and the town of Seaford are a short drive away. When should you visit? Choose a clear day between late spring and early autumn. At dusk the green light stands out against the darkening sea, which suits long-exposure photography. Frequently asked questions Can I walk onto the east breakwater at Newhaven? No. The port authority closed public access in 2002. What colour is the light? Green and flashing, visible for around six nautical miles. Is this the same lighthouse as the one in Edinburgh? No. Edinburgh's Newhaven has its own cast-iron lights; this one is in East Sussex. Is the old tower still standing? No. The 1928 steel tower was replaced by a white pole with green bands.

Burnham-on-Sea Round Tower

Burnham-on-Sea Round Tower is the original lighthouse of Burnham-on-Sea in Somerset, first lit in 1801 near where the River Parrett meets the Bristol Channel. It is now a private building in this seaside town, visible from the street, and a neat way into the story of the whole stretch of coast. Who built the Round Tower, and why? A local curate, the Revd David Davies, put it up beside his house next to St Andrew's Church. He had previously shown a light for passing ships from a window, but then built a proper round, multi-storey tower with a lamp. The aim was to guide vessels through the muddy, treacherous waters of Bridgwater Bay, where the tidal range is among the largest in the world. Running costs outstripped the donations from local merchants and shipowners. Around 1813 Davies won permission to charge light dues. Around 1829 Trinity House, the body responsible for lighting English coasts, bought up the remaining years of the lease. Why did the light go out? Trinity House chose a new scheme: two lighthouses, the High and Low, working as a leading pair about half a mile to the north. Once those were in service, the Round Tower was switched off in 1832. It was later cut down to two storeys so mariners would not mistake it for the new High Lighthouse. Today it has white walls and a castellated top. What can you see today? The tower is privately owned and not run as a museum, so you view it from outside. In recent years it has been used for holiday accommodation under changing owners, so check its current status before you go. It stands right by St Andrew's Church (Grade I listed), so the two combine easily in one short walk. Nearby are the two later lighthouses. The High Lighthouse is a tall building on the beach, and the Low Lighthouse stands on timber legs closer to the water. These are separate landmarks with their own histories. How do you get there, and when should you go? Burnham-on-Sea sits just off the M5 (junction 22), about 40 minutes by road from Bristol. Buses also run to the centre from Bridgwater. See the tower in daylight, and plan your beach and lighthouse walk around low tide, when a wide stretch of sand and mud is exposed. A bright, breezy day gives the best photo light. Frequently asked questions Can I go inside? No. It is a private property, so enjoy it from the outside and respect the residents. When was it built? In 1801, by the curate David Davies. Its light was extinguished in 1832. Is it the same as the High Lighthouse? No. The High and Low Lighthouses came later as a leading pair and replaced the Round Tower. How long should I allow? About 15 minutes for the tower itself. With the church, the promenade and the beach, allow roughly 1.5 to 2 hours.

Maryport Old Lighthouse

Maryport Old Lighthouse stands by the harbour in Maryport, Cumbria, on the north-west coast of England. It is a heritage landmark rather than a working navigation light, and one of the most recognisable small structures on the town's waterfront. What is it, and how old is it? Maryport's first lighthouse went up in 1796, when the town was growing as a coal and trading port. The present tower dates from around 1846. It is built of cast iron and rises about 11 metres. Heritage descriptions call it probably the oldest cast-iron lighthouse in Britain, and it is a Grade II listed building, meaning it sits on the national register of protected structures. How did its role change? By the mid-twentieth century the lamp ran on acetylene. Trinity House, the lighthouse authority for England and Wales, took charge of it in 1961. In 1996 a new aluminium tower with a mains electricity supply was built at the end of the pier and took over the navigational duty, so the old tower went out of service. In 2010 Trinity House handed responsibility for the light to the Maryport Harbour Authority. The old tower was restored and repainted in 2017 as part of a refresh of the harbour area. What will you see? You view the lighthouse from the outside, with the harbour basin and the Irish Sea beyond. It is a slim, simple tower and a good photo subject, especially in evening light. Reach it on foot along the waterfront. Treat it as a sight to look at and photograph on a harbour stroll, not as an attraction with an interior to visit. Do not confuse it with Maryport New Lighthouse, the newer aluminium tower at the pier end. They are two separate structures. What else fits into the same walk? Maryport has an eighteenth-century grid plan laid out by the Senhouse family. Walking from the centre down Senhouse Street to the harbour takes around a quarter of an hour and passes Georgian-era buildings and boats moored in the basin. The lighthouse fits easily into a loop along the quayside. When should you go? The tower stands in the open, so pick a dry day without a strong wind off the Irish Sea. Late afternoon works well: the sun sits to the west, and sunsets over the Solway Firth are a draw. Frequently asked questions Is Maryport Old Lighthouse still in use? No. After the new tower opened in 1996, the old lighthouse stopped serving ships and now stands as a heritage building. When was the current tower built? Around 1846. An earlier lighthouse on the site dates from 1796. Can you go inside? Sources describe it as a structure to view from outside. They do not mention interior visits. Is it the same as Maryport New Lighthouse? No. The New Lighthouse is the newer aluminium tower at the pier end, while the Old Lighthouse is a mid-nineteenth-century cast-iron landmark.

Amlwch Lighthouse

Amlwch

Amlwch Lighthouse is a square stone tower on the outer pier of Amlwch harbour, on the north-east tip of Anglesey, Wales. The tower you see today dates from 1853 and is the fourth lighthouse to stand on this spot. It is a Grade II listed building on the Cadw register, Wales's heritage protection record. What will you see at the lighthouse? The tower marks the end of the pier guarding the entrance to the old harbour. Its lower courses, up to about 4.6 m, are original dressed stone, weathered by decades of sea and wind. The lantern on top was fitted at a later date. A small attached building, described in the listing as an exhibition centre, sits at its foot. Together with the pier and the old quays, it forms a compact piece of Anglesey's industrial waterfront. Why does such a historic harbour sit in Amlwch? Copper was found on nearby Parys Mountain in 1768, and the mines turned a small village into one of Europe's leading copper centres. As shipping grew, an Act of Parliament in 1793 authorised enlarging the harbour, citing safer navigation and a refuge for vessels in storms. The pier went up in 1816 and the lighthouse followed in 1853. Earlier still, in 1748, customs officer Lewis Morris surveyed the North Wales coast for the Admiralty. He thought Amlwch's inlet too small to be worth charting in detail, though he noted that one large ship could shelter there in an emergency. How do you explore the area? The harbour is flat and an easy stroll along the quays. The Copper Kingdom centre beside the old port explains the mining story and the archaeology of Parys Mountain. The abandoned mine workings lie a couple of miles to the south and make a natural add-on. From the lighthouse you can join the Anglesey Coast Path towards Llaneilian and on to Point Lynas, home to another lighthouse. Some sections are steeper and rougher, so wear sturdy shoes. Walking guides mention a small car park near the port. When should you visit? You can view the lighthouse from outside all year, but dry, calm weather is best, since waves can reach the pier in storms. Late afternoon light brings out the texture of the stonework. Check opening times for the exhibition space and Copper Kingdom before you travel, as they can change. Frequently asked questions When was Amlwch Lighthouse built? The present tower dates from 1853 and is the fourth on the site. The pier beneath it was built in 1816. Is it a listed building? Yes. Cadw listed it as Grade II in 1974. Can you go inside? The attached building is recorded as an exhibition centre. Access depends on current opening hours, so ask locally or at Copper Kingdom. What else is nearby? The Copper Kingdom centre, the old harbour with its dry dock, the Parys Mountain mines, and Point Lynas lighthouse along the coast path.

Kinnaird Head Lighthouse

Fraserburgh

Kinnaird Head Lighthouse in Fraserburgh was the first lighthouse lit on the Scottish mainland, and it now anchors the Museum of Scottish Lighthouses. It stands on the Kinnaird Head headland at the north-eastern corner of Aberdeenshire, beside the fishing harbour. Why does this lighthouse stand out? The light was never given a purpose-built tower. In 1786 the Northern Lighthouse Board took over Kinnaird Head Castle, a tower house raised around 1570 by Sir Alexander Fraser, 8th Lord of Philorth, to guard his new harbour. The tower was converted, and the lamp first shone in December 1787. Edinburgh engineer Thomas Smith designed it. His son-in-law Robert Stevenson, grandfather of the novelist Robert Louis Stevenson, rebuilt the station in 1824. The light kept working until 1991, when a modern automatic light built next door replaced it. The historic building is a Category A listed structure, the highest grade in Scotland. What can you see here? A single ticket covers the museum displays, Kinnaird Head Castle and a guided tour of the lighthouse. The tour lasts about an hour. You climb 72 steps to the lamp room, with views over Fraserburgh harbour and the North Sea. The museum explains how Scotland's lighthouses worked and how keepers lived. You will see lighthouse lenses and the equipment keepers used. There is also a tea room overlooking the sea and a gift shop. How do you get to Kinnaird Head? Fraserburgh lies roughly 60 km north of Aberdeen. Driving via the A90 and A952 is the easiest route. The museum sits right by the harbour, so it is simple to add a fish-and-chips stop or a walk along the quay. When should you visit? Full guided visits run in the main season, from spring until September or October. Outside it, opening hours shrink and for part of the year only pre-booked groups are admitted. Check the current calendar on the museum or Historic Environment Scotland website before you travel. A clear day is best, since the view from the tower reaches far along the coast. Doors Open Days in September sometimes bring free entry. Frequently asked questions Is the lighthouse still in use? No. The historic light went out in 1991. The new automatic lighthouse next to it is not open to visitors. How long does a visit take? The guided tour is about an hour. With the museum and the castle, plan on two to three hours. Can you climb to the top? Yes, via 72 steps. Climbs go with a guide, and tour tickets are collected at the museum. Is it suitable for children? Yes. The lamp room, the lenses and the displays on keepers' daily lives appeal to older children in particular. Visitors who cannot manage the stairs can still enjoy the museum galleries at ground level. Who designed the first lamp? Thomas Smith of Edinburgh, engineer to the Northern Lighthouse Board. Robert Stevenson, his son-in-law, succeeded him.

Plover Scar Lighthouse

Lancaster

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.

Lees Scar Light

Silloth

Lees Scar Light is a striking pile-built lighthouse standing in the Solway Firth just off Silloth, on the Cumbrian coast of north-west England. Locals know it as "Tommy Legs". The structure rises from a rocky shoal several hundred metres out and still works as a navigation mark today. What is Lees Scar Light? It is a braced iron structure on piles, set on a rocky scar in the estuary. The 1933 Admiralty sailing directions describe it as a white structure on piles, around 45 feet (about 14 m) high, standing roughly 1.1 km south-west of Silloth pierhead. At low tide the dark, stilt-like legs stand clear of the water, which gives the place a lonely, industrial look quite unlike a typical tower on land. What is its history? The light dates from 1841 and was built to help vessels travelling between Port Carlisle and Annan, as well as to mark a submerged reef. The old structure above the piles was later removed, but the legs survived and now carry a modern light. Local tradition says the "Tommy Legs" nickname comes from a keeper, Tommy Geddes. Mid-19th-century charts label it "Lee Scar Light House". It was manned until 1938, when it was judged unsafe and put out of service. The light was re-established in 1959 after part of the nearby pier collapsed. What does it do for shipping? Together with East Cote lighthouse on the Silloth seafront, it forms a pair of leading lights for ships approaching the port. The structure once also carried a fog signal and a tide gauge whose large figures showed the depth at the dock entrance. How can you see it? You cannot go inside or climb it, because it is an active aid to navigation out in the water. The best views are from Silloth itself: walk the promenade and the shore along the Solway Firth, where the light stands alone against the water with the Scottish hills across the estuary. Photos work best at low tide, when the piles are exposed, and at sunset, when the sky over the firth turns red. East Cote lighthouse, rebuilt in 1997, is close by, so both can be seen on one walk. The area lies within the Solway Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which pairs well with birdwatching and a stroll along the dunes. When should you visit? The light is visible all year. Spring and summer bring long days and the most pleasant promenade walks. Autumn and winter are windier, but sunsets over the firth are at their most dramatic. Check a tide table if you want to see the piles uncovered. Frequently asked questions Can you visit Lees Scar Light? No. It stands in the sea, is not open to visitors and operates as a working navigation light. Why is it called "Tommy Legs"? According to local accounts, after a keeper named Tommy Geddes. The name also suits the long, spindly piles. Where is the best place to view it? From the promenade and beach at Silloth, ideally at low tide. Binoculars or a telephoto lens help. Is there another lighthouse nearby? Yes, East Cote lighthouse on the Silloth promenade. The two form a pair of leading lights for ships entering the port.

Mousa light station

Mousa light station is an automated lighthouse beside the island of Mousa, off the east coast of Shetland's Mainland in Scotland. The tower does not stand on Mousa itself but on Peerie Bard, a tiny rocky islet just offshore. For lighthouse fans and wildlife watchers it is a rewarding stop in the south of the archipelago. What is the Mousa light station? The tower was completed in 1951 to a design by engineer P. H. Hyslop and was planned for unmanned operation from day one. It took over from an earlier navigation light on the nearby headland of Noness. The current lamp was first lit in 2000. It sits 20 metres above the sea, shows one white flash every three seconds and carries about 10 nautical miles. It remains an active aid to shipping. What can you see on Mousa? You cannot enter the lighthouse, since it stands on its own islet, but it is easy to spot from the island. A waymarked circular trail crosses the RSPB reserve, and several stretches give views of Peerie Bard and the surrounding water. Mousa is uninhabited, with no roads or facilities, so bring water, food and clothing for changeable weather. The island is also famous for its birds. Around 6,000 pairs of storm petrels nest here, one of the largest colonies of the species in Europe. Mousa Broch, a separate and much older monument, stands on the same island and is a different site from the light. How do you get to Mousa? Only by boat. The passenger ferry leaves from the Sandsayre pier near Sandwick, below Leebotten, and the crossing takes about 15 minutes. Mousa Boat Trips operates from April to September, with evening departures for watching petrels return to their nests. Check current times and fares with the operator before you travel. When should you go? Crossings run from April to September. Summer evenings are long, which makes the petrel trips especially atmospheric. Pack a warm jacket, as the exposed cliffs are breezy even on clear days. Frequently asked questions Can you go inside the Mousa lighthouse? No. It is automated and stands on the islet of Peerie Bard, but it is clearly visible from the island trail. When was it built? The tower dates from 1951, and the present light was first lit in 2000. How do you reach Mousa? By ferry from Sandsayre pier near Sandwick, a crossing of roughly 15 minutes, running April to September. Are there shops or toilets on the island? The island is uninhabited and has no facilities, so stock up beforehand. Is the light station the same as Mousa Broch? No. The light is a 20th-century navigation tower; the broch is an ancient defensive tower on the same island.

New Kinnaird Head Lighthouse

Fraserburgh

New Kinnaird Head Lighthouse is the working, automated lighthouse on Kinnaird Head in Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire, on Scotland's north-east coast. It went into service in 1991 and replaced the older lighthouse next door, which now houses a museum. What is the new Kinnaird Head lighthouse? It is a short, modern tower about 10 metres tall, built with fibreglass. The light sits roughly 25 metres above sea level, helped by the headland itself. No keeper lives here: the light is controlled remotely and still belongs to the Northern Lighthouse Board, the body responsible for navigation aids around Scotland's coast. How is it different from the old lighthouse? Two lighthouses stand on Kinnaird Head, and they are often confused. The older one, first lit in 1787, was the Northern Lighthouse Board's first light and is built into a 16th-century castle. It was retired in 1991 and is now part of the Scottish Lighthouse Museum. That building, known as Kinnaird Head Castle Lighthouse, is a Category A listed building with Historic Environment Scotland (listed in 1971, revised in 2017), together with its outbuildings and an 1902 fog horn. The new light is a separate, contemporary structure and is not itself the listed building. What can you see nearby? The new tower is a plain piece of working infrastructure, but its setting shows how lighthouse technology changed. Next to it you can visit the museum in the castle lighthouse, with lenses and exhibits from across Scotland, and look at the old fog horn at the cliff edge. The headland looks out over the North Sea and Fraserburgh harbour. How do you get there? Kinnaird Head sits at the edge of Fraserburgh town, in north-east Aberdeenshire. You can reach the town by car or by bus from Aberdeen. From the centre, walk to the headland and follow the museum buildings on Stevenson Road. When should you visit? You can view the lighthouse from outside all year round. The museum keeps its own opening hours, so check its website before you go. Summer is the most comfortable season for a walk around the headland, but the coast is windy in every season, so bring a warm jacket. Frequently asked questions Is the new Kinnaird Head lighthouse still in use? Yes. It is active, automated and operated remotely by the Northern Lighthouse Board. When was it built? In 1991, the same year the older 1787 lighthouse was retired. Can you go inside the new lighthouse? No, it is an unmanned technical structure. The neighbouring museum in the old lighthouse and castle is the part open to visitors. Is the new lighthouse a listed building? No. The Category A listing from Historic Environment Scotland covers the old Kinnaird Head Castle Lighthouse with its outbuildings and fog horn.

Pentland Skerries Low Light

Pentland Skerries Low Light is the shorter of the two historic lighthouse towers on Muckle Skerry, in the Pentland Skerries group at the eastern gateway to the Pentland Firth, between Orkney and mainland Scotland. This is a landmark to admire from a distance: the islands are uninhabited and no regular visitor boats go ashore. What is Pentland Skerries Low Light? The tower belongs to a pair designed by Robert Stevenson with Thomas Smith for the Northern Lighthouse Board. The first light here shone in 1794, and the station is regarded as Stevenson's first commission for the Board. The two towers stand roughly 60 feet (about 18 m) apart. The lower one, the Low Light, worked together with the taller tower as a pair, so mariners could tell this station from others along the coast. Published sources disagree on dates and heights, since the towers were reworked in the 1820s and 1830s. The current tall tower is generally dated to a rebuild completed in 1833, while the Low Light survives as the older, shorter structure from the late 18th century. Why build a lighthouse here? The Pentland Firth is among the most treacherous waters around Britain. Fierce tidal streams and rocky skerries wrecked many ships rounding the north of Scotland. The double light marked the eastern approach and set it apart from other navigation marks on the coast. What happened to it? In 1895 the double light was dropped when powerful group-flashing lamps were installed. Since then the Low Light has no longer served as a navigation light. A fog signal has operated at the lower tower since 1909. In February 1941 the station came under enemy fire during the Second World War. The station was automated on 31 March 1994. Nobody has been posted here permanently since, and the light is monitored from the NLB headquarters in Edinburgh. Is it protected? Yes. Historic Environment Scotland lists the Pentland Skerries lighthouses at Category A (reference LB18728), the highest level of protection in Scotland. The former keepers' cottages on Muckle Skerry are listed too. The site also has a record in Canmore. How can you see Pentland Skerries? Muckle Skerry sits at the eastern entrance to the Pentland Firth, south of South Ronaldsay and north-east of Duncansby Head. The interior is closed and landing needs the owners' consent and calm weather. Your best views come from boat trips across the Pentland Firth, wildlife cruises around Orkney, and viewpoints on the south coast of South Ronaldsay and at Duncansby Head. The towers are easy to spot on the low, treeless island. Binoculars help, and clear summer days give the best visibility. For photographers and lighthouse enthusiasts it is a rewarding target: two towers of different height on a bare island amid racing currents capture the character of old northern navigation. Frequently asked questions Can I go inside the Low Light? No. It is out of use and the islands are not open to visitors. Does the Low Light still shine? No. The double light was discontinued in 1895. The automatic light is run from the taller tower, while the lower one has carried a fog signal since 1909. Who designed it? Thomas Smith and Robert Stevenson, for the Northern Lighthouse Board. The first light was lit in 1794. Where is the best place to see it? From the sea on a Pentland Firth cruise, or from the south shores of South Ronaldsay and the Duncansby Head area.

Ellesmere Port Lighthouse

Ellesmere Port

Ellesmere Port Lighthouse is a small brick beacon from 1881 in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, standing where the old canal docks once opened onto the Mersey estuary. It is a Grade II listed building and one of the best-known landmarks around the National Waterways Museum. What is this lighthouse? The tower is octagonal and tapers upward, with a lantern under a shaped octagonal cap. Its brickwork mixes red and blue brick. It stands about 36 feet (11 m) tall, and its light carried roughly 19 miles. The Historic England entry credits engineer G. R. Webb and dates it to 1881, though other sources put the commission at 1880. It replaced an earlier tower that served from about 1835. You will also see it called Whitby Lighthouse, after the Whitby entrance it guarded. Why did the light go out? The lamp guided ships from the Mersey into the docks at the end of the Shropshire Union Canal. When the Manchester Ship Canal opened in January 1894, traffic was redirected to a new entrance at Eastham Locks, a few miles downriver. The old entrance lost its purpose and the light was discontinued. The lighthouse was listed in 1971 and the entry amended in 1985. What else is nearby? The lighthouse sits beside the lower basin of the former canal port, laid out by Thomas Telford under William Jessop. The port worked commercially into the 1950s, then became a museum in the 1970s, first as the Boat Museum and now as the National Waterways Museum. Its collection of canal boats is among the largest in the world. Close to the lighthouse you can see the former harbour master's office, and within the museum grounds the listed locks and a lock keeper's hut. How do you get there? Ellesmere Port lies south of Liverpool on the Cheshire side of the Mersey. Trains run from Liverpool Central and Chester to Ellesmere Port station, followed by a short walk or ride to the docks. By car, follow signs for the National Waterways Museum, where parking is available. Check current museum opening hours before you go. When should you visit? Choose a dry, mild day for a stroll along the basin and the outdoor areas. The red-and-blue brick tower photographs well in late afternoon light. Frequently asked questions Is the lighthouse still in use? No. It went out of service in 1894, after the Manchester Ship Canal changed the layout of the port entrance. Is it a listed building? Yes. It is Grade II listed, Historic England list entry 1130345. Can you go inside? It is viewed from outside, from the dock area. Ask the museum about any interior access. What should I combine it with? The National Waterways Museum on the same site, which covers the story of English canal transport.

Hodbarrow Beacon

Millom

Hodbarrow Beacon is a historic lighthouse near Millom, on the shore of the River Duddon estuary in Cumbria, north-west England. It stands on the former Hodbarrow iron mine, much of which is now an RSPB nature reserve. Historic England protects it as a Scheduled Monument (list entry 1007097), describing it as a lighthouse roughly 380 m north-west of Hodbarrow Point. Why is there a lighthouse at Hodbarrow? Iron ore was dug here from about 1850 until the 1960s and shipped out by sea, some of it as far as Germany. In 1866 the Hodbarrow Mining Company built a stone lighthouse on the point to steer vessels toward its own dock. Around 1905 a massive sea wall was finished to hold back the tide from the workings, and a new cast-iron lighthouse went up on it. It first showed its light in July 1905, and the older tower was switched off the same day. After trade at Duddon Port fell away, the beacon was abandoned in 1949. In the early 2000s a Heritage Lottery grant of about £20,000 paid for repairs, and the light was relit. What will you see? The beacon is one of the last reminders of Hodbarrow's industrial past. Around it lies the RSPB reserve, where flooded mine workings now form lagoons. A public path runs along the sea wall with views across Morecambe Bay, the Duddon estuary and the nearby fells. Other mining relics survive on site, including a tower that serves as a handy landmark. The reserve is known for its tern colony as well as wildfowl and waders. How do you get there? The nearest railway station is Millom, about 2.4 km from the reserve. By car, approach from Millom and Haverigg and turn left by the lagoon into the reserve car park. From there it is roughly 1.6 km along the main sea wall to the hide; the route is flat and easy. There are no toilets or refreshments, and the site is open to the wind, so bring water and a warm layer. When is the best time to visit? May to July is the liveliest period, when the terns are nesting. Access is restricted on land and from the water during the breeding season, so follow the signs. Winter and spring also offer good views over the bay and its birds, ideally on a low or rising tide. Frequently asked questions Can you go inside Hodbarrow Beacon? We found no information about interior visits. The lighthouse is viewed from outside while walking along the sea wall. Is there an entrance fee for the reserve? The sources we checked mention no charge for walking the reserve paths. Check the RSPB site for current details before you go. Are there toilets or a cafe? No. The only shelter is the bird hide, so prepare for changeable weather. Does the lighthouse still shine? It was relit after its restoration in the early 2000s, but today it serves as a heritage landmark rather than a working navigation aid.

Ruvaal Lighthouse

Ruvaal Lighthouse (Rubha a' Mhàil in Gaelic) guards the northern tip of the Isle of Islay in the Inner Hebrides, Scotland, within the Argyll and Bute council area. It is one of the most remote corners of the island, facing neighbouring Jura across the Sound of Islay. Who built Ruvaal Lighthouse, and when? Robert Stevenson, patriarch of Scotland's famous lighthouse-engineering family, flagged the need for a light on the Sound of Islay as early as 1835. Construction ran from 1857 to 1859 to plans by his sons David and Thomas Stevenson, working for the Northern Lighthouse Board. The lamp first shone on 1 January 1859. The Board of Trade asked that the beam also cover the Neva Rocks to the west, and a Victorian gazetteer puts the cost at £7,437. The lens has its own story. Chance Brothers of Birmingham made one in 1874, and a modern unit replaced it in 1992. The original optic went to Colonsay House, where it is displayed today. The light was automated in 1983, so no keepers live here any more. Where is it and how do you get there? The lighthouse lies roughly 10 km north of Port Askaig, Islay's main ferry port. Reach the island by ferry from the mainland, then you will need a car or bicycle. There is no public transport to the start of the walk, so plan your journey ahead. The usual route on foot starts at Bunnahabhain, by the distillery, and follows the coast towards the headland. Along the way the shoreline opens up with views across to Jura. It is an out-and-back walk, and the ground can be boggy, so waterproof boots are a good idea. What will you see? The white tower with its former keepers' buildings. The Sound of Islay, the strait between Islay and Jura, known for strong tidal currents. A wild, undeveloped coastline. Otters and seals can be spotted near the jetty. Typical northern Islay scenery of peat bog and heather moorland. The keepers' cottages are privately owned and let as holiday accommodation, so respect the grounds and do not enter the property. The lighthouse is a working navigation aid, not a museum. Is the site protected? Yes. The lighthouse is a Category B listed building in Scotland, and it has an entry in the Canmore record kept by Historic Environment Scotland. Older sources spell the headland Rhuvaal, Rubh' a' Mhail or Rudha Mhail, which is worth knowing when you search for more information. When should you go? Late spring and summer are best, with long days and the driest path. Hebridean weather can change within an hour, so pack a windproof and waterproof layer and carry water, as there are no shops en route. In clear conditions Jura is easy to see from the headland. Frequently asked questions Can you go inside Ruvaal Lighthouse? No. It is an active navigation light and the neighbouring cottages are private. You view the lighthouse from the coast. How far is the lighthouse from Port Askaig? About 10 km to the north as the crow flies. You drive towards Bunnahabhain and cover the final stretch on foot. Is the walk difficult? It needs no climbing skills, but the path is often muddy and wet. Good footwear and clothes for changeable weather matter most. When was the lighthouse built? Between 1857 and 1859, with the first light on 1 January 1859. David and Thomas Stevenson designed it.

Strathy Point Lighthouse

Strathy Point Lighthouse sits on a lonely headland on Scotland's north coast, in Sutherland (Highland), beside the hamlet of Totegan and the village of Strathy. The lamp went dark in 2012, yet the point remains a rewarding short walk for photographers, walkers and anyone hoping to spot marine wildlife. What is Strathy Point Lighthouse? It is a former station of the Northern Lighthouse Board, the body that runs Scotland's lights. A light here was first suggested around 1900 but was turned down at the time. The idea returned after the Second World War, and the station was first lit in 1958 to fill a gap in coverage between Dunnet Head and Cape Wrath. It is regarded as the first Scottish lighthouse conceived from the start as fully electric. The board's engineer, P. H. Hyslop, designed the buildings, which are arranged as a hollow square with covered passages to shelter staff from the wind. The station was automated in 1997 and monitored remotely from Edinburgh. A 2010 review of navigation aids judged it unnecessary: commercial ships pass well to the north and leisure traffic was light. The light was switched off for good on 2 March 2012. In April 2013 the property was sold, and the keepers' cottages went to private buyers. Can you go inside? No. The tower and cottages are privately owned, so there is no interior access. You can, however, walk out to the headland and around the outside of the grounds. Driving down the private road to the lighthouse is not allowed. How do you get there? Drive to Totegan, next to Strathy, on the north coast road (the NC500 route passes close by). A small car park lies on the left, opposite the old chapel, where the road to the point begins. It fills quickly in season. From there the walk takes about 20 minutes, mostly along a tarmac private road. For the return you can choose a grassy, pathless line across the headland, which can be boggy in places. Wear waterproof footwear and a windproof layer, since the exposed point is rarely calm. What will you see? Steep cliffs, open Atlantic and a wide sweep of the northern coastline. Because the headland juts into the sea, it ranks among the better spots in the area for watching porpoises, dolphins and sometimes whales, particularly in summer. Seabirds nest and feed along the rocks, and seals often appear offshore. Photographers like the white station buildings against the sea, especially in low evening light. When should you visit? Late spring to early autumn works best: long days and the highest chance of seeing marine mammals. In June, twilight in the far north lingers late, so an evening walk is easy to plan. In winter the road can be slick and the wind fierce. Frequently asked questions Is Strathy Point Lighthouse still working? No. It was permanently discontinued on 2 March 2012 and sold in 2013. Can I go inside? No, the site is private. You may walk to it and around the outer walls. How long is the walk from the car park? About 20 minutes each way, mostly on tarmac. Can I bring my dog? The landowner asks that dogs stay at home, because sheep and lambs graze near unfenced cliff edges. If you do bring one, keep it on a lead. Will I see whales? Chances are best in summer, but sightings depend on weather and luck. Bring binoculars.

Low Lighthouse, Buddon Ness

Barry

Low Lighthouse at Buddon Ness in Barry, Angus (Scotland) is a former leading light on a sandy headland at the mouth of the River Tay, a few kilometres south-west of Carnoustie. It is not the Barry in Wales. The tower no longer shows a light, yet it still stands among the dunes and is a protected historic building. What is the Low Lighthouse? Buddon Ness had two lighthouses that worked as a pair. A ship that saw one light directly above the other knew it was on the safe line into the Tay estuary. The Low Lighthouse was the shorter, seaward member of the pair, while the High Lighthouse stands further north-west and is taller. Both towers date from 1865-66 and were designed by the engineers D. and T. Stevenson, part of Scotland's famous lighthouse-building family. The Low Lighthouse is round in plan and about 18.6 m (61 ft) tall. It is built of pale yellow brick and was originally painted white. Why was it moved? The entrance channel of the Tay shifted with the sandbanks, so the original alignment stopped marking a good course. Between 5 May and 4 June 1884 the whole lower tower was moved about 48.7 m (160 ft) to the north-east, which restored the line with the High Lighthouse. The keepers' houses stayed where they were. How is it different from the High Lighthouse? Position: the Low Lighthouse is nearer the sea; the High Lighthouse is further inland to the north-west. Height: about 18.6 m for the low tower, taller for the high one. Role: the low light was the front mark of the pair, the high light the rear mark. Can you visit? Buddon Ness lies inside Barry Buddon, an area used for military training. Access depends on firing and exercise schedules, and the tower is disused with no entry. The keepers' houses are unroofed, judged dangerous and fenced off. Check current range closure notices before you travel and stay clear of fences and warning signs. How do you get there? The nearest sizeable town is Carnoustie, on the rail line between Dundee and Aberdeen. From there you continue by local roads towards Barry Buddon; the site sits at roughly 56.4675 N, 2.7448 W. Plan to come by car or bike and ask locally about the current access rules. When is the best time to go? The dunes and Tay shoreline are most pleasant in late spring and summer, with long days and steadier weather. Winter brings strong winds off the North Sea. Whatever the season, the military exercise calendar decides whether you can go, not the weather. Frequently asked questions Is the Low Lighthouse at Buddon Ness still active? No. The tower is out of use and survives as a historic structure. Is it a listed building? Yes. It holds Category B status in the Historic Environment Scotland register. Can I go inside the tower or the keepers' houses? No. The land is military, the tower is disused, and the ruined keepers' houses are fenced off as dangerous. How does it differ from the High Lighthouse at Buddon Ness? In position (closer to the sea), height (shorter) and role in the pair. The Low Lighthouse was moved in 1884 to realign it with the taller tower.

High Lighthouse, Buddon Ness

Barry

High Lighthouse at Buddon Ness is a historic brick lighthouse near Barry in Angus, on Scotland's east coast. It stands at the mouth of the River Tay, a few kilometres from Carnoustie. It has nothing to do with Barry in Wales, which is a different place entirely. What is the High Lighthouse? It is the taller of a pair of navigation lights that guided ships into the Tay estuary. Lined up with its partner, it showed mariners the safe channel between shifting sandbanks. The tower you see today dates from 1865–66 and was designed by the engineers David and Thomas Stevenson, members of the family behind many of Scotland's lighthouses. It was commissioned by Trinity House of Dundee. What does the tower look like? The lighthouse is a round, gently tapering column about 31 metres (103 ft) high. Its walls are brick, finished with stone dressings. Rising from a flat, sandy point, it dominates the surrounding landscape. Historic Environment Scotland lists it as a Category B building (reference LB4634). What else is on the site? The first lighthouse on Buddon Ness dates from around 1820. It was a round tower of roughly 26 metres that was later shortened, and it is now attached to the keeper's house, which is also protected. The new pair of towers went up beside it in the 1860s. The Low Lighthouse is a separate listed structure. In 1884 it was moved about 49 metres north, because the Tay channel had changed course and a new leading line was needed with the taller tower. Can you visit? The land around the lighthouse is part of the Barry Buddon military training area. Access can be restricted, particularly while exercises are under way, and the surrounding ground may carry warning signs. Treat the tower as something to view from a distance, and check current access rules and firing schedules before you set out. Local heritage records describe the tower as no longer operating as a working light, though sources differ on this point. How do you get there? Barry sits along the A930 between Dundee and Carnoustie, and Dundee is the nearest large city, about a dozen kilometres away. The easiest options are driving, or taking the train to Barry Links or Carnoustie and heading toward the coast. The lighthouse is visible from the wider area, and nearby beaches and the Carnoustie golf links make a good addition to the trip. When is the best time to go? Spring and summer bring long days and steadier weather. The Angus coast is often windy, so bring a warm layer even in July. For photography, early morning and evening give the most atmospheric light. Frequently asked questions Is this the same lighthouse as the one in Barry, Wales? No. This one is in Angus, Scotland, at the mouth of the Tay, and is unrelated to the Welsh town of the same name. Who built the High Lighthouse? David and Thomas Stevenson built it in 1865–66 for Trinity House of Dundee. How tall is the tower? About 31 metres (103 ft), built of brick with stone dressings. Can I walk up to the lighthouse? The area is used for military training, so access may be restricted. Check current access information before your visit.

Steamboat Quay Light

Port Glasgow

Steamboat Quay Light is a small cast-iron harbour light in Port Glasgow, Inverclyde, on the south shore of the Firth of Clyde estuary in Scotland. It stands on the old West Quay and is one of the last readable traces of the town's historic port. It will not fill a half-day, but it makes a worthwhile stop for anyone interested in maritime heritage, industrial history or photography. What exactly is it? The light is a tall, tapering cast-iron tower with a round cross-section, flared at the base and finished with a coved cornice. It is painted in a black-and-white chequer pattern, which makes it stand out against the quayside and the river. It served as a leading light, a marker that helped vessels hold the right line in the Clyde approaches. Canmore dates it roughly to the 1870s, while some accounts of the Clyde lights give 1861. The sources disagree, so the safest statement is that it dates from the later 19th century. What is the history? Port Glasgow was founded in the 17th century as a deep-water outport for Glasgow, when larger ships could not yet sail up the river. Little of the old harbour survives: a stretch of L-shaped quay and this iron tower. Canmore records the site as West Quay, Leading Light, with Steamboat Quay given as an alternative name. The structure is a listed building under Historic Environment Scotland's system. How do you get there? The light is on the quayside in Port Glasgow, near 55.9374 N, 4.6905 W. From Glasgow, take the train towards Gourock or Wemyss Bay to Port Glasgow station and walk down to the shore. By car, follow the A8. You view it from the outside: it is a freestanding tower, not a museum, so there are no tickets or opening hours. Check on arrival whether this part of the quay is accessible, as working and industrial waterfront can be fenced off. Do not confuse it with nearby lights Other navigation marks are close by. The Perch Light, a light standing in the water from around 1890, is a separate structure. There is also a Steamboat Quay in neighbouring Greenock with its own 1868 light, moved in the 1990s. That is a different site, a few kilometres away. When should you visit? A clear day with a view across the Clyde gives the best photographs, especially in spring and summer. Combine the visit with a walk along the waterfront and a look at the Perch Light from the shore. Frequently asked questions Can you go inside the light? No. It is a cast-iron tower viewed from outside, with no visitor access inside. How long does a visit take? Allow 15 to 30 minutes, longer if you walk the Clyde shoreline. Is there an entrance fee? No. The light is seen from public quayside space. Is it the same as the light in Greenock? No. Greenock has its own Steamboat Quay with a different light dating from 1868.

Maryport New Lighthouse

Maryport New Lighthouse is a small harbour light at the end of the pier in Maryport, on the Cumbrian coast of north-west England. It was built in 1996 and still marks the harbour entrance on the Solway Firth. What is the New Lighthouse? It is a modern square tower made of aluminium, roughly 4.7 m (15 ft) tall. It stands at the end of the extended pier and runs on mains electricity. Trinity House, the body that looks after lighthouses around England, ran the light until 2010, when responsibility passed to the Maryport Harbour Authority. How is it different from the old lighthouse? Two lighthouses share this stretch of harbour, and visitors often mix them up. The older cast-iron tower dates from around 1846 and has Grade II listed status with Historic England; sources describe it as one of the oldest cast-iron lighthouses in Britain. It was retired from navigation when the new light came into service in 1996, and was restored and repainted in 2017. The heritage listing applies to that older tower, not to the 1990s aluminium one. What will you see here? The tower itself is modest. The appeal is the setting: a long pier, the harbour mouth, open water towards the Solway Firth and a view back over the old quays. It makes an easy waterside walk and a good spot for photos around sunrise or sunset. Maryport grew as a trading and shipbuilding port, and the harbour area still has Georgian streets from that era. How do you get there? Maryport sits on the west Cumbrian coast, along the route between Workington and Silloth. The lighthouse is at the harbour, on the pier, and you can walk there from the town centre along the quayside. Coordinates are about 54.718 N, 3.511 W. When should you visit? Clear days give the best views across the water. The end of the pier is exposed, and a westerly wind can be strong, so dress for it. Frequently asked questions Is Maryport New Lighthouse a listed building? The Grade II listing from Historic England covers the older cast-iron lighthouse of about 1846. The 1996 tower is a separate, modern structure. When was the new lighthouse built? In 1996, replacing the old tower as the navigation light. Who runs it? The Maryport Harbour Authority, since 2010. Before that it was a Trinity House light. How tall is it? About 4.7 m (15 ft) with a square cross-section, so it is far smaller than a typical coastal tower.

Beach Lighthouse

Wyre

Beach Lighthouse in Fleetwood is a neoclassical sandstone lighthouse from 1840, standing beside the seafront promenade in Lancashire, England. Officially listed as the Lower Lighthouse, it is one of the town's best-known landmarks. Fleetwood itself was laid out in the nineteenth century as a brand-new port and resort at the mouth of the River Wyre. What kind of building is it? The tower is about 13 metres (44 feet) tall and built of sandstone. Its shape sets it apart from the usual British lighthouse: a colonnade surrounds a square base, a square tower rises above it, and an octagonal lantern crowns the whole. It looks closer to a small classical temple than to a plain signal tower. Decimus Burton, who had been engaged a few years earlier as architect of the new town, drew up the design in 1839 together with Captain H. M. Denham. Since 26 April 1950 the building has been Grade II listed. Why was it built? The lighthouse was one half of a pair. Its partner, the Pharos Lighthouse or Upper Light, stands further inland. When a ship lined up the two beams it had a safe course into the Wyre estuary. Both lights were first lit on 1 December 1840, at first running on the town's gas supply and later converted to electricity. Pharos is a separate structure, so it is worth seeing both and comparing them. How do you get there and what is nearby? The lighthouse sits on the seafront stretch of Fleetwood, close to the promenade and the estuary shore. You can walk from the town centre, and it is easy to spot from the beach and from the water. On the pavement is a pebble compass, a modern recreation of a Victorian original, and a nearby stone marks the former limit of the port's legal quay. The Port of Fleetwood manages the lighthouse, so treat it as a monument to admire from outside. When should you visit? The tower stands in the open, so you can see it all year. Photographs work best in low, side-on light in the morning or early evening, when the pale sandstone turns warm. Combine it with a coastal walk and a look at the other buildings that Burton designed for the town. Frequently asked questions Are Beach Lighthouse and the Pharos Lighthouse the same thing? No. They are two separate lighthouses from the same year, 1840, that worked together as a leading line. Beach Lighthouse is the Lower Light and Pharos is the Upper Light. Who designed it? Decimus Burton and Captain H. M. Denham, in 1839. Can you go inside? The Port of Fleetwood manages it, and it is mainly known as a landmark seen from outside. Do not plan on entering without checking first. Is it a protected building? Yes. It has been Grade II listed since 26 April 1950.

Burnham-on-Sea High Lighthouse

Burnham-on-Sea High Lighthouse is a tall pillar lighthouse in the Somerset seaside town of Burnham-on-Sea, on the Bristol Channel coast of south-west England. Standing roughly 30 metres high, it is one of the town's best-known landmarks. It is now a private home, so visitors admire it from the street. What is its history? Trinity House engineer Joseph Nelson designed and built the tower, and it was first lit on 1 December 1832. It took over from the earlier light that had been mounted on the tower of St Andrew's Church, known as the Round Tower. Working with a timber lighthouse on stilts down on the beach, it formed a pair of leading lights. Ships approaching the mouth of the River Parrett steered until the two lights lined up. Keepers' cottages were built against the tower as part of the same group. The light was discontinued at the end of 1993, the property was offered at auction in 1996, and it has been in private hands since, converted into a dwelling. What can you see? The tower stands on Burnham Street, a short walk from the town centre and seafront. From the pavement you can see the tall brick-and-stone shaft and the low cottages beside it. It is Grade II listed by Historic England (list entry 1251103, listed 31 May 1985), with protection covering the lighthouse and two mid-19th-century keepers' cottages. There is no public access inside because people live there. Please stay off the private grounds. Is this the same as the Low Lighthouse? No. Burnham-on-Sea has three historic lighthouses. The High Lighthouse is the masonry tower in town. The Low Lighthouse is a separate weatherboarded timber structure on nine wooden piers on the beach, and it still works as a navigation light. The third, the oldest, is the Round Tower by the church. All three fit into a single short walk. How do you get there? Burnham-on-Sea is close to the M5, about ten minutes' drive from junction 22. The nearest railway station is Highbridge & Burnham, a few kilometres from the centre, with buses and taxis onward. Once in town, walking is the easiest way around, and the lighthouse sits among ordinary houses on Burnham Street. When should you visit? Because you view it from the street, any season works. Morning or late afternoon gives the best light for photographs. Burnham-on-Sea has one of the largest tidal ranges in Europe, so it is worth seeing the beach and the Low Lighthouse at both high and low water. Frequently asked questions Can I go inside the High Lighthouse? No. It is a private residence and the interior is closed to visitors. Does the lighthouse still shine? No, it went out at the end of 1993. The Low Lighthouse on the beach is still active. Does it cost anything to see it? No. You can view it from a public street. Is it a protected building? Yes, it has Grade II listed status with Historic England.

Kyleakin Lighthouse

Kyleakin

Kyleakin Lighthouse stands on the small island of Eilean Bàn beside the village of Kyleakin, on the Isle of Skye in the Scottish Highlands. It no longer guides ships, but it remains one of the most photographed landmarks at the foot of the Skye Bridge. What is Kyleakin Lighthouse? The roughly 21-metre white tower was designed by the brothers David and Thomas Stevenson and first lit in 1857. It counts among the early Scottish lighthouses to use a fixed condensing light. An iron footbridge of five spans crosses the rocks to reach it, and in its day it was regarded as a model example of that type of structure. The light was automated in 1960 and converted to run on acetylene gas. It was decommissioned in 1993. Historic Environment Scotland protects the lighthouse as a Category B listed building. Why visit Eilean Bàn? The island is tied to Gavin Maxwell, the naturalist and author of "Ring of Bright Water". He bought the keepers' cottages in 1963 and lived there until he died in September 1969. The Eilean Bàn Trust has since restored the buildings as a home for the island's nature warden and a small museum about Maxwell. The setting is striking too. The Skye Bridge, opened in 1995, is built partly over the island, so the white tower sits directly beneath the road span with water and hills behind it. Photographers will find few better compositions nearby. How do you get there? Kyleakin is on the Skye side, and you can drive to it over the bridge from Kyle of Lochalsh. The lighthouse is visible from the shoreline around the village. Landing on the island itself is done through tours run by the Eilean Bàn Trust, which set off from its visitor centre. Check dates and availability before you travel, as they depend on the season and the organiser. When is the best time to go? Summer is easiest: long days make tours simpler to fit in. Skye weather turns quickly, so pack a warm waterproof layer. Early morning and evening give the best light for pictures of the tower under the bridge. What else is nearby? Kyleakin was the ferry port for the crossing to the mainland until the bridge opened in 1995. From here it is easy to head deeper into Skye, while Kyle of Lochalsh waits on the other side of the bridge. Frequently asked questions Is the lighthouse still working? No, the light was switched off in 1993. The tower still serves as a daytime landmark visible from the water and the shore. Who lived on the island? Gavin Maxwell, author of "Ring of Bright Water", bought the keepers' cottages in 1963 and stayed until 1969. Can I visit the museum? The restored cottages house the Maxwell museum, and the Eilean Bàn Trust runs the tours. Confirm current dates with the organiser. Is the tower a protected building? Yes, it is listed by Historic Environment Scotland in Category B.

Gorleston South Pier Lighthouse

Great Yarmouth

Gorleston South Pier Lighthouse sits at the seaward end of the south pier in Gorleston-on-Sea, part of Great Yarmouth in Norfolk. The pier guards the mouth of the River Yare, the route ships take into Great Yarmouth's port. Don't expect a classic tower: this is a low, practical brick-and-concrete building with the light mounted on its roof. What kind of lighthouse is it? A fixed white light first showed on the south pier in 1852 to mark the harbour entrance. The present building dates from 1955, when the pier head was rebuilt, and it originally doubled as the harbourmaster's office. The light sits on the roof at a focal height of about 11 metres, and the building also carries a fog signal. Great Yarmouth Port Authority operates it. What can you see at the pier end? The building houses a National Coastwatch Institution station, where volunteers watch the river mouth and the surrounding coast. Visitors are welcome to drop in and ask about the work. From the pier head you can watch crew-transfer vessels heading out to North Sea wind farms, harbour traffic entering the Yare, Gorleston beach on one side and the north pier opposite. During the Second World War the pier carried an anti-torpedo-boat battery, according to the Norfolk Heritage Explorer record. How do you get there? Gorleston-on-Sea lies on the south bank of the Yare, a few kilometres from central Great Yarmouth. Buses run from Great Yarmouth, and there is parking near the beach and promenade. From the promenade the walk out along the pier takes roughly ten to fifteen minutes. The coordinates are approximately 52.572° N, 1.738° E. When should you visit? Summer and early autumn suit best: days are long and the Coastwatch station stays open for more hours. Avoid the pier in strong winds or storms, as it is exposed and waves can break over the edge. A walk out at sunset is a good choice when the light on the roof starts to stand out against the sky. Is this the listed lighthouse in Gorleston? No. A separate red-brick tower on Quay Road, dated 1887, is Grade II listed. It is a former rear range light and a different structure from the pier-head lighthouse. Keep the two apart when planning a visit. Frequently asked questions Can you go inside the lighthouse? Not up the light itself, but you can walk to the building at the pier end and visit the Coastwatch station when it is open. Is there an entry fee for the pier? No. The pier is part of Gorleston's public seafront. Is it the historic listed tower? No. The listed 1887 tower stands on Quay Road. The pier lighthouse is a 1955 building. What else is nearby? Gorleston's wide sandy beach, the seafront promenade and the busy river mouth.

Tiumpan Head Lighthouse

Shulishader

Tiumpan Head Lighthouse marks the eastern tip of the Eye Peninsula, close to the village of Shulishader on the Isle of Lewis in Scotland's Outer Hebrides. It is a working lighthouse, and the headland around it is regarded as one of the best places in Britain to watch whales and dolphins from dry land. For most visitors the sea is the main draw, rather than the tower itself. What is the history of the lighthouse? A light on this headland was discussed in the nineteenth century. An early proposal favoured a different site at Portvoller, and the authorities turned requests down for years. The application was finally approved in 1879, though construction only followed much later. The design is credited to the engineers David Alan and Charles Alexander Stevenson, members of Scotland's celebrated lighthouse-building family. The light was first shown on 1 December 1900. The station also had a fog signal powered by compressed air. In 1956, during a royal visit to the Hebrides, the young Prince Charles started a new fog siren here. The signal has since been discontinued and the building that housed the equipment has been demolished. At its busiest the station housed six keepers. It was automated in 1985 and is now monitored remotely from the Northern Lighthouse Board headquarters in Edinburgh. The former keepers' cottages passed into private hands and for years served as a boarding kennels and cattery. What will you see here? The wildlife. Volunteers from the Whale and Dolphin Conservation charity rank Tiumpan Head among the top shore-based cetacean sites in the UK. It is one of the few places in the country where Risso's dolphins can be seen from land. Harbour porpoises, common dolphins, white-beaked dolphins and minke whales are also seen regularly. Local observer Janet Marshall, who has led watches here, reports having logged 18 species from these shores. The lighthouse itself stands on private land, so you view it from outside. The white tower is easy to see from the road and from the walking route. How do you get there and where do you park? Drive out onto the Eye Peninsula from Stornoway, the main town on Lewis. The road ends at a small car park beside Loch an t-Siùmpain, roughly 300 metres short of the lighthouse. A car is by far the easiest option. Buses do run, but infrequently, so expect a long wait for the return service. Is there a walking route? Yes. A loop of about 2 km starts at the car park and takes around an hour. It is rated easy, but the coastal path is boggy in places and stiles are sometimes missing. The suggested direction is anticlockwise, over the hill of Foitealar and along the east coast. Waterproof footwear is a good idea. When should you visit? Sightings depend on weather and sea state: calm water and good visibility improve your chances noticeably. Bring binoculars and a windproof layer, as the headland is rarely still. There are no toilets or cafes on site, so stock up in Stornoway or the villages on the peninsula beforehand. Frequently asked questions Can you go inside the lighthouse? No. It is an operational light and the surrounding land is privately owned, so the tower is seen from outside. Will I really see whales and dolphins? It is one of the best shore-based spots in Britain. Porpoises, several dolphin species and minke whales are the usual sightings, though weather decides. How long should I allow? The loop walk takes about an hour. If you want to scan the sea with binoculars, allow two to three hours. Are there toilets or shops nearby? No. The nearest services are in Stornoway and the settlements on the Eye Peninsula.

Old Hunstanton Lighthouse

King's Lynn and West Norfolk

Old Hunstanton Lighthouse is a former lighthouse in Old Hunstanton, on the north Norfolk coast near King's Lynn. It crowns Hunstanton Cliffs, the highest ground along this stretch of shore. Today it is a private holiday home, so visitors admire it from outside. What exactly is it? A white, round tower with a gently tapering profile rises through four storeys. It is built of stuccoed brick under a slate roof. A cottage is attached on the north side; its twin on the south was demolished long ago. The building is listed Grade II (since 1984). Sources disagree on the date of the present tower: the official listing suggests around 1830, while other accounts say 1840. What is its story? A light has shone on this spot since the 17th century. The first towers were lit in 1665 next to a medieval chapel, and a wooden structure replaced them in the late 1700s. Until the Lynn Well light vessel arrived in 1828, Hunstanton gave ships their only visible night guide into The Wash, steering them toward the safe water of Lynn Deeps. The light went out around 1921-22. From 1934 to 1957 the Royal Observer Corps used the tower, and in 1964 the town council sold it to a Cambridge architect. Can you go inside? Only as a paying guest. The lighthouse is private property let as holiday accommodation, so there are no opening hours or tickets. The tower is easy to see from the road and from the cliff-top area around it. What else is nearby? Right beside it stand the ruins of St Edmund's Chapel, built in 1272. The pairing of ruin and white tower makes one of the most photogenic corners of Old Hunstanton. The surrounding cliffs are known for their layered rock. When should you visit? The tower looks good in any season. Early morning and evening give the best photo light, and a cliff walk is more pleasant on dry days. Frequently asked questions Is Old Hunstanton Lighthouse open to the public? No. It is a private holiday home. You can view it from outside or book a stay. Are the ruins next to it part of the lighthouse? No. The ruins belong to St Edmund's Chapel, dating from 1272. The lighthouse is a separate, fully preserved 19th-century tower. When did the light stop working? It was decommissioned in 1921 or 1922, depending on the source. It later served aircraft observers. Is it a listed building? Yes, it has been Grade II listed since 1984.