- Smalls Lighthouse is in Pembrokeshire, Wales.
- Remote offshore rock lighthouse
- Check access, weather and local guidance before travelling.
About Smalls Lighthouse
Smalls Lighthouse is a remote offshore tower standing on a rock 22 miles off the Pembrokeshire coast, one of the most isolated lighthouses in Britain. Its dark history includes one of the most famous legends in the lighthouse service.
The story of Smalls Lighthouse
The first lighthouse on the Smalls was built in 1776 by Henry Whiteside, a Liverpool musical instrument maker, using a bizarre wooden structure perched on eight oak pillars. In 1801 two keepers, Thomas Howell and Thomas Griffith, were stranded there by storms; Griffith died and Howell, fearing he would be accused of murder, built a makeshift coffin and lashed the body to the outside of the tower. The grisly sight so unsettled Trinity House that single-keeper offshore stations were afterwards abandoned. The present stone tower was built in 1861 by James Walker, and the lighthouse was automated in 1987 and converted to solar power.
Visiting with care
The Smalls lie far offshore and cannot be visited, but the lighthouse is a dramatic sight on clear days from boat trips running from Martins Haven to Skomer and Grassholm. The story of the two keepers has been told in novels, films and a Radio 4 play.
Interesting facts
- The original 1776 wooden tower was built by instrument maker Henry Whiteside.
- The 1801 death of keeper Thomas Griffith gave rise to a famous lighthouse legend.
- The present stone tower was built in 1861 by James Walker.
- One of the most remote offshore lighthouses in Britain, 22 miles out.
Getting there
Parking and access details — check locally for the latest information.