Lighthouses worth finding.
Lighthouses mark the dangerous edges of Britain’s coast, each with a story of engineering, shipwrecks and the keepers who kept the light burning. Browse the opening collection by nation, then follow a field note into the detail.
Browse the collection
Every entry is a starting point. Confirm local conditions, access and opening details before travelling.
Showing 37 lighthouses
Lizard Lighthouse
Most southerly point of mainland Britain
Read the field note England · KentSouth Foreland Lighthouse
First electric lighthouse in the world
Read the field note England · NorfolkHappisburgh Lighthouse
Only independently-run operational UK lighthouse
Read the field note England · Tyne & WearSouter Lighthouse
First purpose-built electric lighthouse
Read the field note England · East YorkshireWithernsea Lighthouse
Inland lighthouse, now a museum
Read the field note England · SuffolkLowestoft Lighthouse
Trinity House's first ever lighthouse site (1609)
Read the field note England · SuffolkSouthwold Lighthouse
Read the field note England · DorsetAnvil Point Lighthouse
Read the field note England · East SussexBeachy Head Lighthouse
Iconic red-and-white striped tower
Read the field note England · NorthumberlandBamburgh Lighthouse
Read the field note England · DevonEddystone Lighthouse
Famous offshore tower, several rebuilds
Read the field note England · NorthumberlandLongstone Lighthouse
Grace Darling rescue site
Read the field note Wales · AngleseyTrwyn Du Lighthouse
Read the field note Wales · AngleseySouth Stack Lighthouse
Popular visitor centre
Read the field note Wales · AngleseyPoint Lynas Lighthouse
Read the field note Wales · GwyneddBardsey Lighthouse
Tallest square-tower lighthouse in Wales
Read the field note Wales · PembrokeshireStrumble Head Lighthouse
Read the field note Wales · PembrokeshireSmalls Lighthouse
Remote offshore rock lighthouse
Read the field note Wales · PembrokeshireSt Ann's Head Lighthouse
Read the field note Wales · PembrokeshireCaldey Lighthouse
Read the field note Wales · Vale of GlamorganNash Point Lighthouse
Visitor tours available
Read the field note Scotland · AngusBell Rock Lighthouse
Oldest surviving sea-washed lighthouse in the world
Read the field note Scotland · Argyll and ButeSkerryvore Lighthouse
Tallest lighthouse in Scotland
Read the field note Scotland · ShetlandMuckle Flugga Lighthouse
Most northerly point in the UK
Read the field note Scotland · HighlandCape Wrath Lighthouse
Most north-westerly point of mainland Britain
Read the field note Scotland · HighlandNeist Point Lighthouse
Popular visitor viewpoint
Read the field note Scotland · HighlandArdnamurchan Point Lighthouse
Most westerly point of UK mainland
Read the field note Scotland · Dumfries and GallowayCorsewall Lighthouse
Now a hotel
Read the field note Scotland · South AyrshireTurnberry Lighthouse
On the Turnberry golf course headland
Read the field note Northern Ireland · County AntrimBlackhead Lighthouse
Read the field note Northern Ireland · County DownSt John's Point Lighthouse
Tallest onshore lighthouse in Ireland
Read the field note England · East YorkshireFlamborough Head Lighthouse
On the chalk cliffs of the Yorkshire coast
Read the field note England · DorsetPortland Bill Lighthouse
On the southernmost point of Dorset
Read the field note England · North TynesideSt Mary's Lighthouse
Tidal island lighthouse, now a visitor centre
Read the field note Scotland · AberdeenshireBuchan Ness Lighthouse
Red-banded tower on the Buchan coast
Read the field note Scotland · Dumfries and GallowayMull of Galloway Lighthouse
Most southerly point of Scotland
Read the field note England · CornwallTrevose Head Lighthouse
On the north Cornwall cliffs above the sea
Read the field noteFour nations, one coast
| Nation | Entries in this collection | What to look for |
|---|---|---|
| England | 16 | From the iconic red-and-white stripes of Beachy Head to the world’s first electric light at South Foreland. |
| Wales | 9 | Anglesey and Pembrokeshire hold the densest collection, including the popular South Stack visitor centre. |
| Scotland | 10 | Engineering legends: Bell Rock, Skerryvore and Muckle Flugga, built by the Stevenson family on remote rock. |
| Northern Ireland | 2 | Blackhead and St John’s Point guard the County Down and Antrim coasts. |
Before you set out
Can you visit lighthouses in the UK?
Many UK lighthouses are open to visitors, including South Stack in Anglesey, Nash Point in Wales, and St Mary’s in Whitley Bay. Check opening times before travelling, as access is often seasonal.
Which is the oldest lighthouse in the UK?
The Bell Rock Lighthouse, built 1807–1810 by Robert Stevenson off the Angus coast, is the oldest surviving sea-washed lighthouse in the world.
Are any UK lighthouses still manned?
No. All UK lighthouses operated by Trinity House, the Northern Lighthouse Board, and the Commissioners of Irish Lights were automated by 1998.
Can I suggest a correction?
Yes. Corrections and updates are welcome through the contact page.
Is this a booking website?
No. The UK Coast is an editorial directory and does not sell tickets or guarantee access.
Explore the coast
Move from built heritage to wild habitat, then follow the stories between them.