Lighthouses of Northeastern England

This page covers lighthouses of the northeastern coast of England, from the Humber estuary to the Scottish border. Facing the North Sea, this is a busy coastline with many harbors, especially along the estuaries of the Humber, the Tees, and the Tyne.

Note: for lighthouses of the North Sea coast south of the Humber, see the Southeastern England page.

The British system of lighthouse administration is decentralized, with the major towers under the management of Trinity House (a corporation chartered by the Crown) and smaller towers generally under the control of local port authorities. This system has generally assisted lighthouse preservation, and so has the British custom of building very sturdy brick or stone lighthouses at most of the stations. Most of the onshore lighthouses are accessible to visitors, and several of them are major tourist attractions.

ARLHS numbers are from the ARLHS World List of Lights. Admiralty numbers are from Volume A of the Admiralty List of Lights & Fog Signals. U.S. NGA numbers are from Publication 114.

General Sources
Trinity House
Chartered by Henry VIII in 1514, Trinity House has built and operated lighthouses in Britain for nearly 500 years. About a dozen of the lighthouses have Visitor Centres.
Association of Lighthouse Keepers
Founded by serving and retired keepers, this lighthouse association is open to everyone.
Online List of Lights - England
Photos posted by Alexander Trabas.
Lighthouse E-Clips
There is lots of useful information on this site by Michael Millichamp, including his Guide to English and Welsh Lights, an inventory of surviving English and Welsh lighthouses.
Lighthouses in England, United Kingdom
Aerial photos posted by Marinas.com.
Tynemouth Lighthouses
Photos contributed by Joke Reijnen.
Britische Leuchttürme auf historischen Postkarten
Historic postcard images posted by Klaus Huelse.
Information about English Lightvessels
Lightship information and photos posted by Iris Klempau.


Souter Light, July 2007
Creative Commons photo by Craig Wilkinson

Skegness Area Lighthouse
Ingoldmells Point
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 22 m (72 ft); yellow flash every 5 s. 50 m (164 ft) skeletal communications tower mounted on a circular platform supported by a large, tall pile. Trabas has a photo. This light is off the easternmost point of Lincolnshire, not far north of the Wash; from the photo it appears to be a hazard light warning vessels away from a large wind farm. Located about 7 km (4 mi) east of Ingoldmells and 10 km (6 mi) northeast of Skegness. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty A2421; NGA 1766.

Humber and Ouse Estuary Lighthouses
Lightfloat Spurn
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 10 m (33 ft); three quick white flashes every 10 s. 12 m (39 ft) square skeletal tower centered on a hull about 20 m (66 ft) long. The tower is covered by a slatted daymark painted black with a yellow horizontal band. Fog horn (blast every 20 s). Trabas has a photo. This lightfloat replaces the Humber Conservancy Board lightship Spurn (see below). Located in the entrance to the Humber estuary about 6 km (3.75 mi) southeast of Spurn Point. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty A2422; NGA 1772.
Lightfloat Bull
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 8 m (26 ft); very quick flashing white light. 10 m (33 ft) square skeletal tower centered on a hull about 8 m (26 ft) long. Hull painted yellow; the tower is enclosed by a daymark painted black. Fog horn (two blasts every 20 s). Trabas has a photo. Located in the center of the entrance to the Humber, about 2.5 km (1.5 mi) southwest of Spurn Point. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty A2430; NGA 1792.
Haile Sand Fort
Date unknown (station established 1919?). Active; focal plane 21 m (69 ft); red flash every 5 s. Mast mounted atop the fort. Wikipedia has a closeup, Trabas has a photo, and Google has a good satellite view. This is one of two Humber Forts built during World War I to protect the entrance to the Humber. Located on the south side of the estuary about 1.5 km (1 mi) east of Humberston. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty A2431; NGA 1808.
Bull Sand Fort
1919. Inactive. The light was mounted on a square tower atop the fort. A photo is available. Located in the center of the entrance to the Humber, about 2.5 km (1.5 mi) southwest of Spurn Point. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed.
* Killingholme South Low (Range Front)
1836. Active; focal plane 10 m (33 ft); red light, 1 s on, 1 s off. 14 m (46 ft) round stucco-covered brick tower with lantern and gallery, painted white. Trabas has a photo, Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Google has a satellite view. Located about 400 m (1/4 mi) southeast of Station Road on the south bank of the Humber at Killingholme. Site open, tower closed. Operator: Grimsby and Immingham Ports. ARLHS ENG-176; Admiralty A2440; NGA 1912.
* Killingholme High (Range Rear)
1876. Active; focal plane 21 m (69 ft); red light, occulting once every 4 s. 24 m (79 ft) round brick tower with lantern and gallery, painted red; lantern dome is white. Former stucco covering of the tower has nearly all peeled off. Trabas has a good photo, Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Google has a satellite view. Located about 190 m (210 yd) west of the front light on the south bank of the Humber at Killingholme. Site open, tower closed. Operator: Grimsby and Immingham Ports. ARLHS ENG-175; Admiralty A2440.1; NGA 1916.
* Killingholme North Low
1852. Inactive since 1920. 14 m (46 ft) round stucco-covered brick tower with lantern and gallery, attached to 1-story keeper's house. Tower painted white, lantern dome black. Google has a satellite view. Formerly in poor condition, this lighthouse was restored in 2003 as a private residence. However, David Wright's 2006 photo and the 2009 photo at right show it to be in a continuing need of repainting. Located at the end of Station Road on the south bank of the Humber at Killingholme. Site and tower closed, but the lighthouse can be seen from the road. Owner/site manager: private. ARLHS ENG-061.
Killingholme North Low Light
Killingholme North Low Light, May 2009
anonymous Creative Commons photo
Lightfloat Upper Whitton
Date unknown (recent). Active; focal plane about 9 m (30 ft); light pattern unknown. 10 m (33 ft) square skeletal tower centered on a hull about 10 m (33 ft) long. A daymark encloses the upper 2/3 of the tower. Entire structure and hull painted red. Martin Wilson has a photo. Located on the north side of the Humber channel opposite Whitton. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed.
* Whitgift
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); continuous red light. 14 m (46 ft) round brick tower with lantern and gallery, mounted on an octagonal brick base. Base unpainted; tower painted white. Steve Fareham has a nice 2007 photo, Trabas has a photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located on the south bank of the Ouse between Whitgift and Ousefleet and about 10 km (6 mi) below Goole. Site open, tower closed. Operator: Goole Port Authority. ARLHS ENG-185; Admiralty A2571.9.
* Trent Falls (relocated to Goole)
Date unknown. Inactive. 6 m (20 ft) square skeletal tower with lantern, gallery, and an enclosed equipment room in the base. Lighthouse painted red. This lighthouse formerly stood near Faxfleet in the confluence of the Rivers Ouse and Trent, which combine to form the Humber estuary. Dr. Neil Clifton has a 1974 photo of the lighthouse at its original location. The lighthouse has been relocated to the Goole Docks, a short distance west of Bridge Street. Site open, tower closed.
**** Humber Conservancy Board Lightship 12 Spurn
1927. Decommissioned 1975. Steel lightship, 30.5 m (100 ft) long, painted black. Steve Cameron's photo is at right, Howard Pulling has a good 2008 photo, Pat Wride has another photo, and Google has a satellite view. Built at Goole on the Ouse, the ship served at the Spurn station, 7.5 km (4.5 mi) east of Spurn Point, until 1959, when it was moved to the Bull Shallows station just off Spurn Point. Acquired by the Hull City Council in 1983, the ship was restored and has been on public display since 1987. Located at the Hull Marina on Castle Street in downtown Hull. Site open, ship open to guided tours daily from April through September. Owner/site manager: Hull City Council. ARLHS ENG-136.
* Paull
1836. Inactive since 1870. Approx. 14 m (46 ft) round stucco-covered brick tower with lantern and gallery, attached to 2-story dwelling. Tower and dwelling painted white. Mick Evans has a good photo, Graham Sivills has a nice closeup, and Google has a satellite view. Sibling of the Killingham South Low Light on the other side of the river. The lighthouse was built by Trinity House as a free-standing tower; the house was added sometime after deactivation. The building was transferred to the Humber Conservancy in 1908, but was auctioned into private hands in 1947. The lighthouse was restored by its current owner, graphic designer James Deighton, in the late 1980s. Deighton extended the building, adding a cottage that is available as a bed and breakfast. Located on the north bank of the Humber at Paull, about 8 km (5 mi) below Hull. Site open, tower closed. Owner/site manager: private. ARLHS ENG-099.
Lightship Spurn
Lightship Spurn, April 2007
Wikipedia Creative Commons photo by Steve Cameron
* Thorngumbald Clough Low (Range Front)
1870. Active; focal plane 8 m (26 ft); white light, occulting every 2 s. 9 m (30 ft) round cast iron tower with lantern and gallery, painted white. Keeper's house recently demolished. Steve Roe has a good closeup and a photo showing both lights, Trabas has a photo, a history of the station is available, there is also a historic photo showing the keeper's house, and Google has a satellite view. These lights replaced the Paull Light after a shift in the river channel. Located on the north bank of the Humber about 1 km (0.6 mi) below Paull. Site open, tower closed. Operator: Port of Hull. ARLHS ENG-177; Admiralty A2506; NGA 1928.
* Thorngumbald Clough High (Range Rear)
1870. Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); white light, occulting every 2 s. 15 m (50 ft) round cast iron tower skeletal tower with lantern and enclosed watch room, painted red; lantern dome is white. Keeper's house recently demolished. Steve Roe has a good photo and a photo showing both lights, Trabas has a photo, a history of the station is available, there is also a historic photo showing the keeper's house, and Google has a satellite view. Located on the north bank of the Humber 113 m (125 yd) downstream from the front light and about 1.1 km (0.7 mi) below Paull. Site open, tower closed. Operator: Port of Hull. ARLHS ENG-155; Admiralty A2508; NGA 1932.

Southeast Yorkshire Coastal Lighthouses
* [Spurn Point High (1)]
1767 (John Smeaton). Inactive since 1895. Foundations remain of this 34 m (112 ft) tower; it was replaced because a light was needed closer to the end of the spit. Site open. Owner: Yorkshire Wildlife Trust. Site manager: Spurn Point National Nature Reserve. ARLHS ENG-137.
* Spurn Point Low
1852. Inactive since 1895. 27 m (90 ft) round brick tower; the lantern has been replaced by a water tank. The tower was originally painted white, but only traces of the paint remain. The water tank is black. A good photo is available, Peri Stracchino has another closeup, Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Google has a satellite view. This light was the front light of a downbound (eastbound) range. Spurn Point is a long barrier spit on the north side of the mouth of the Humber. Located just offshore on the estuary side of the Spurn Point spit. Site open, tower closed. Owner: Yorkshire Wildlife Trust. Site manager: Spurn Point National Nature Reserve. ARLHS ENG-139.
* Spurn Point High (2)
1895. Inactive since 1985. 39 m (128 ft) round brick tower with lantern and gallery, painted with black and white horizontal bands. Ian Britton's photo is at right, Huelse has a historic postcard view, Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Google has a satellite view. This abandoned lighthouse is probably endangered by lack of maintenance; Chris Cook's 2007 photo shows a deteriorating lighthouse. Spurn Point is a spit curving out into the northern side of the entrance to the Humber. Long the site of military fortifications, it was transferred to a wildlife trust in 1950 and is now a popular and important nature reserve. Located near the end of the spit; accessible by an easy hike of several miles. Site open, tower closed. Owner: Yorkshire Wildlife Trust. Site manager: Spurn Point National Nature Reserve. ARLHS ENG-138; ex-Admiralty A2424.
**** Withernsea
1894. Inactive since 1972. 39 m (127 ft) octagonal brick tower with lantern and gallery, painted white. Paul Davies has a fine closeup, Huelse has a historic postcard view, and Google has a satellite view. The Fresnel lens from this light was transferred to the St. Mary's Light (see below). One of the best known tourist attractions of the Hull area, this restored light station houses a café and a museum of local and maritime history. The museum was started in 1989 by the Campbell family to house momentos of Kay Kendall, a family member who was a popular film star of the 1950s. Located on Hull Road at Arthur Street in downtown Withernsea. Site open, museum and tower open on weekends and bank holidays March through October, daily from mid June through mid September. Owner: private. Site manager: Withernsea Lighthouse Museum. ARLHS ENG-169; Admiralty A2574.
* [Bridlington]
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); white flash every 2 s. 9 m (30 ft) fluted column with a lampost-style lantern, mounted on a square stone pedestal. Column painted white, lantern black. Red and green harbor control lights and a yellow fog signal (blast every 60 s) are mounted on the side of the column. Trabas has a closeup photo, and Google has a satellite view. This elegant old post light stands at the end of the north pier at Bridlington. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty A2580; NGA 1960.

Spurn Point High Light
photo copyright Ian Britton; used by permission
* Flamborough Head (1) (Chalk Tower)
1669 (Sir John Clayton). Never activated as a lighthouse. 24 m (79 ft) octagonal cylindrical white chalk tower. A closeup and additional photos are available, and Google has a satellite view. This remarkably well preserved seventeenth century tower is unique in England. It was designed as a lighthouse, but there is no evidence it was ever lit; it served for more than a century as a daybeacon. Located on Lighthouse Road near the present lighthouse but farther from the sea. Site open, tower closed. Site manager: East Riding of Yorkshire Council. ARLHS ENG-274.
**** Flamborough Head (2)
1806 (Samuel Wyatt). Active; focal plane 65 m (213 ft); four white flashes every 15 s. 27 m (89 ft) round brick tower with lantern and double gallery, attached to a 2-story keeper's house. 1st order Fresnel lens. Entire lighthouse painted white. Michael King's photo is at right, a good closeup is available, Karen Withak has a 2008 photo, Trabas has a photo, Huelse has a historic postcard view, Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Google has a satellite view. This stately lighthouse, one of England's best known, is a very popular tourist attraction. The 200th anniversary of the lighthouse was celebrated in November 2006. Located on a rocky point jutting into the North Sea about 10 km (6 mi) northeast of Bridlington. Parking provided. Site open; tower open to guided tours daily except Mondays and Tuesdays March through October. Operator: Trinity House. Site manager: East Riding of Yorkshire Council. ARLHS ENG-042; Admiralty A2582; NGA 1964.
Flamborough Head Light
Flamborough Head Light, April 2007
Geograph Creative Commons photo by Michael King
* Scarborough Pier (2)
1931 (reconstructed 1806 lighthouse; inactive 1914-1931). Active; focal plane 17 m (56 ft); white light, 2.5 s on, 2.5 s off. 15 m (49 ft) round brick tower with lantern and gallery, painted white, attached to 2-story keeper's house (1843). Fog horn (blast every 60 s). A winter 2008 photo and a good 2007 photo are available, Trabas has a closeup, Huelse has a historic postcard view, Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Google has a satellite view. The tower was heightened by 5 m (17 ft) in the 1840s. The original lighthouse had to be demolished after being heavily damaged by shelling from a German ship in 1914; the current tower was built to replace it in 1931. The keeper's house has been used as an office and clubhouse by the Scarborough Yacht Club since 1952. The exterior of the lighthouse was repaired and restored in 2008. Located on a pier in the old harbor at Scarborough; the pier's original name is St. Vincent's Pier but it is usually called Lighthouse Pier. Accessible by walking the short pier. Site open, tower closed. Owner/operator: Scarborough Borough Council. Site manager: Scarborough Yacht Club. ARLHS ENG-121; Admiralty A2592; NGA 1976.
* Whitby High
1858 (James Walker). Active; focal plane 73 m (240 ft); white or red light, depending on direction, 5 s on 5 s off. 13 m (43 ft) octagonal brick tower with lantern and gallery, painted white, attached to 1-story keeper's house. A good photo is available, Trabas has an excellent photo, Lighthouse Explorer also has an excellent closeup photo, Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Google has a satellite view. The original low lighthouse was deactivated in 1890 and subsequently demolished. Located atop a cliff about 3 km (2 mi) east of Whitby Harbour. Site open, tower closed. Operator: Trinity House. ARLHS ENG-164; Admiralty A2596; NGA 1992.
** Whitby East Pier (1)
1855. Inactive since about 1914. 17 m (55 ft) round cylindrical stone tower with lantern and gallery, mounted on a square base. Tower unpainted, lantern painted white with a black dome. The Whitby piers were extended in 1914, and the active lights were moved to wood skeletal towers at the ends of the extensions. Hanan Smart has a fine closeup, Trabas has a photo, another photo is available, Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the original end of the east pier; accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS ENG-163.
Whitby East Pier (2)
About 1914 (station established 1855). Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); continuous red light. 7 m (23 ft) round wood lantern mounted on a square wood skeletal tower. Lantern painted red; the wood legs are unpainted. Jon Tait has a photo, Paul Bradley has a 2008 photo, Trabas has a closeup, Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the extended Whitby East Pier. Site and tower closed. Operator: Port of Whitby. Admiralty A2598; NGA 1988.
* Whitby West Pier (1)
1831. Generally inactive; a green light is displayed when a vessel is expected and it is safe to enter the harbor. 25 m (83 ft) round cylindrical fluted stone tower with lantern and gallery, mounted on a square base. Tower unpainted, lantern painted white with a black dome. Gary Denham's photo is at right, another excellent photo is available, Trabas has a photo, Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Google has a satellite view. The Whitby piers were extended in 1914, and the active lights were moved to wood skeletal towers at the ends of the extensions. Located at the original end of the west pier; accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower apparently open (a photo shows visitors on the gallery). ARLHS ENG-165; Admiralty A2599.2.
* Whitby West Pier (2)
About 1914 (station established 1831). Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); continuous green light. 7 m (23 ft) round wood lantern mounted on a square wood skeletal tower. Lantern painted green; the wood legs are unpainted. A closeup photo is available, Trabas has a photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the extended Whitby West Pier. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. Operator: Port of Whitby. Admiralty A2599; NGA 1984.

Whitby West Pier Light, June 2007
Creative Commons photo by Gary Denham
* Redcar Promenade Range Rear
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 11 m (36 ft); red light, 1.5 s on, 1 s off. Light mounted near the top of a 2-story red brick building. Trabas has a photo. The building is a Marks and Spencer grocery, located on the Esplanade in Redcar. The front light is on a pole across the street. Site open. Admiralty A2620.1; NGA 2012.

Tees and Hartlepool Area Lighthouses
South Gare
1884. Active; focal plane 16 m (53 ft); long (1.5 s) flash, white or red depending on direction, every 12 s. 13 m (43 ft) round cylindrical cast iron tower with lantern and gallery. Entire lighthouse painted white. Fog horn (two blasts every 30 s). Fred Brunskill has a page on the South Gare pier with several photos of the lighthouse, Ivan Dobsky has a good photo, Trabas has a photo, and Google has a satellite view. In 2007, the lighthouse became the first in the U.K. to be powered by a hydrogen fuel cell. Located at the end of the stone pier at the entrance to the River Tees about 8 km (5 mi) west of Redcar. Site and tower closed (pier fenced). Operator: PD Teesport. ARLHS ENG-131; Admiralty A2626; NGA 2020.
* Seaton Carew High (Seaton Tower)
1838. Inactive. Approx. 20 m (66 ft) round stone tower on a square stone base; lantern removed. The tower is unpainted. The lighthouse formerly stood at Seaton Carew southeast of Hartlepool. It was taken down and rebuilt as a war memorial during the redevelopment of the Hartlepool waterfront. A photo is available, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of a pier inside the Hartlepool Marina in downtown Hartlepool. Site open, tower closed. Site manager: unknown. ARLHS ENG-332.
* Hartlepool West Harbour
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 6 m (20 ft); flash every 2 s, white, red or green depending on direction. Light mounted on the balcony railing of a 2-story concrete block harbor master's office. Trabas has a good photo. Located on the north side of the entrance to the Hartlepool West Harbor, used by small craft. Site and building open. Admiralty A2667.4; NGA 2062.
Hartlepool Old Pier
1836. Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); flash every 3 s, white over the entrance channel and green otherwise. 12 m (39 ft) square pyramidal wood tower, painted white with two narrow horizontal red bands on each face. Rotating radar antenna atop the lantern. Ivan Dobsky has a good photo, Trabas has a fine closeup, another good closeup photo is available, Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Google has a satellite view. Recently renovated by the port authority, the Old Pier is now called Pilots Pier. Located at the end of the pier on the north side of the entrance to the old harbor at Hartlepool. Site and tower closed. Operator: PD Teesport. ARLHS ENG-305; Admiralty A2664; NGA 2052.
* The Heugh (Hartlepool Headland) (3)
1927 (station established 1847). Active; focal plane 19 m (62 ft); two white flashes every 10 s, day and night. 16.5 m (54 ft) round steel tower with lantern and gallery, painted white. A photo is at right, another fine closeup photo and a third good closeup are available, Trabas has a photo, and Google has a satellite view. The original lighthouse, a 14.5 m (46 ft) tapered sandstone tower, was the first British lighthouse designed to be fueled entirely by natural gas from nearby coal mines. This lighthouse, seen in a historic postcard view posted by Huelse, was undamaged by shelling from German ships in early 1915, but it was demolished later that year because it stood in the line of fire of coastal artillery. The lantern and lens were mounted on a temporary square pyramidal frame tower with enclosed watch room, located on the Town Moor behind the guns; a historic photo of this tower is available (near the bottom of the page). The lantern and lens are now on display at the Hartlepool Museum on Maritime Avenue. Located on the headland known as the Heugh, sheltering Hartlepool Harbour, on the north side of the city. Site open, tower closed. Operator: PD Teesport. ARLHS ENG-314; Admiralty A2663; NGA 2056.
The Heugh Light
The Heugh Light, February 2008
anonymous Creative Commons photo

Seaham and Sunderland Area Lighthouses
Seaham North Breakwater
1905. Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); long (1.2 s) green flash every 10 s; continuous green shown in bad weather. 10 m (33 ft) round cylindrical cast iron tower with lantern, painted with black and white horizontal bands. The gallery has been removed sometime in recent years. Fog horn (blast every 30 s). A good photo is available, Gem Fox has a 2008 photo, Trabas has a photo, Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the north breakwater in Seaham. Site and tower closed. Operator: Seaham Port Authority. ARLHS ENG-123; Admiralty A2674; NGA 2072.
Roker Pier (Sunderland North Pier)
1903. Active; focal plane 25 m (82 ft); white flash every 5 s. 23 m (75 ft) round tapered granite tower with red and white horizontal bands, lantern and gallery. Tower unpainted; the bands are formed of natural red and white colored stone. Lantern painted white with a black dome. Fog signal (siren blast every 20 s). John Kirkwood has a good photo, Gail Johnson has another good photo, Trabas has a closeup, Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the pier on the north side of the entrance to the River Wear in Sunderland. Site and tower closed. Operator: Port of Sunderland. ARLHS ENG-116; Admiralty A2681; NGA 2084.
* Sunderland South Pier (relocated)
1856 (Thomas Meik). Inactive since 1903(?). 15 m (50 ft) round cast iron tower with lantern and gallery, painted white. When the pier was shortened in 1983, the lighthouse was relocated to a site overlooking the sea in Roker Cliff Park. A photo is at right, Steve Fareham has a good photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located off Whitburn Road at the foot of Chichester Road on the north side of Sunderland. Site open, tower closed. Owner/site manager: City of Sunderland. ARLHS ENG-117.
**** Souter
1871. Inactive since 1989. 23.5 m (77 ft) brick tower with lantern and gallery, attached to keeper's house. Lighthouse painted with red and white horizontal bands. The keeper's quarters house a museum, tea room, and gift shop. Craig Wilkinson's photo is at the top of this page, Paul Featherstone has a nice 2008 photo, Huelse has a historic postcard view, and Google has a satellite view. An unusually complete and well preserved light station now operated by the National Trust. Located on Marsden Head on the coastal road (A183) about 5 km (3 mi) north of Sunderland. Parking provided. Site open; tower open to guided tours April through October daily except Fridays. Owner/site manager: National Trust. ARLHS ENG-127; Admiralty A2694.

Sunderland South Pier Light (with North Pier Light in the distance)
Sunderland City Council photo

Tynemouth Area Lighthouses
* Tyne South Pier
1895. Active; focal plane 15 m (49 ft); directional light, 8 s on, 2 s off, showing white over the entrance channel, red or green to the sides. 12 m (39 ft) round tapered stone tower with lantern and gallery, unpainted; lantern painted white. Fog bell (stroke every 10 s). Trabas also has an excellent photo by Arno Siering, Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the mile-long south pier at the entrance to the River Tyne in South Shields. Accessible in good weather by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. Operator: Port of Tyne. ARLHS ENG-158; Admiralty A2702; NGA Light 2108.
* Herd Groyne
1882. Active; focal plane 15 m (49 ft); directional light, 8 s on, 2 s off, showing red or green depending on direction. 15 m (49 ft) octagonal corrugated iron lantern and watch room mounted on skeletal legs. Tower painted red; lantern painted with red and white vertical stripes. Trabas also has a photo by Arno Siering, Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the groin, off River Drive, on the south side of the Tyne in South Shields. Accessible in good weather by walking the groin. Site open, tower closed. Operator: Port of Tyne. ARLHS ENG-330; Admiralty A2702.5; NGA Light 2112.
* Tynemouth (Tyne North Pier)
1903 (station established 1864(?)). Active; focal plane 26 m (85 ft; 3 white flashes every 10 s. 23 m (75 ft) round tapered stone tower with lantern and gallery, unpainted; lantern painted white. Fog horn (blast every 10 s). A 2007 photo is available, Trabas has Arno Siering's photo, Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the north pier at the entrance to the River Tyne in North Shields. Accessible in good weather by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. Operator: Port of Tyne. ARLHS ENG-159; Admiralty A2700; NGA 2104.
* Fish Quay Old Light
1727. Inactive. Square brick tower with lantern, attached to dwelling. Steve Fareham's photo is at right, John Wigham has a fine closeup photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the intersection of Beacon and Tyne Streets just above Fish Quay in North Shields. Site open, tower closed. Owner/site manager: private. ARLHS ENG-299.
* Fish Quay Low (Range Front)
1807. Inactive. 26 m (85 ft) square cylindrical stone building, painted white, with a small lantern on the roof. Alex Perry has a good 2007 photo, another photo is available, and Google has a satellite view. Millichamp describes the Fish Quay lights as active, but they have been dropped from the Admiralty list. Located on the Fish Quay on the waterfront of North Shields. Site open, tower closed. Operator: Port of Tyne. ARLHS ENG-300; Admiralty A2703.
Fish Quay Old Light
Fish Quay Old Light, July 2007
Geograph Creative Commons photo by Steve Fareham
* Fish Quay High (Range Rear)
1807. Inactive. 17.5 m (58 ft) square cylindrical stone building, painted white, with a small lantern on the roof, attached to neighboring building. Alex Perry has a good 2007 photo, another photo is available, and Google has a satellite view. Millichamp describes the Fish Quay lights as active, but they have been dropped from the Admiralty list. Located on Tyne Street behind what is now called Union Quay on the waterfront of North Shields. Site open, tower closed. Operator: Port of Tyne. ARLHS ENG-301; Admiralty A2703.1.
* Tyne Swing Bridge
1876. Inactive (?). Round lantern centered on an octagonal control room atop the arched bridge. Lantern painted dark blue, control room white with a dark blue roof. An excellent photo is available, Ian Britton also has a photo, a 2008 photo is available, and Google has a satellite view. The Tyne Swing Bridge, built by Sir W.G. Armstrong and Company, was an engineering triumph of Victorian Britain. The bridge is still very much in use, but the light has not been listed as an aid to navigation for many years. Many night time photos are available, but I've found none showing a light in the lantern. Located on Bridge Street in downtown Newcastle upon Tyne. Site open, tower closed.
**** St. Mary's
1888. Inactive since 1984. 46 m (150 ft) brick tower with lantern and gallery, painted white. The original Fresnel lens was sent to the lighthouse museum in Penzance (now closed), and the current lens was transferred from Withernsea Light (see above). A complete light station, with keeper's houses and other buildings. Glen Bowman's photo is at right, P. Murphy's photo shows that the lighthouse is floodlit at night, Huelse has a historic postcard view, Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Google has a satellite view. The light station is located on a small island, linked to the mainland at low tide by a causeway. After deactivation, it was transferred to the local government as a tourist attraction; the Friends of St. Mary's Lighthouse was organized to work for its preservation. In July 2007, the North Tyneside Council announced £130,000 in repairs and repainting for the lighthouse. A master plan for the future of the island and light station is being prepared. Located on a rocky point north of Whitley Bay, about 5 km (3 mi) north of North Shields. Site open; tower open to guided tours at low tide (call for schedule) daily April through October and on weekends and school holidays November through March. Owner/site manager: North Tyneside Council. ARLHS ENG-145; ex-Admiralty A2748.

St. Mary's Light, June 2007
Creative Commons photo by Glen Bowman

Southeastern Northumberland (Blyth and Warkworth Area) Lighthouses
Blyth East Pier (Blyth Harbour)
1884. Active; focal plane 19 m (62 ft); four white flashes every 10 s. Fog horn (3 blasts every 30 s). 14 m (46 ft) round brick tower with lantern and gallery, painted white, mounted on a cylindrical concrete base. The lighthouse is accessed by a long catwalk. Adrian Finlay has a good 2008 photo, another photo is available, Trabas has a photo, Huelse has a historic postcard view, Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Google has a satellite view. The pier also carries a series of large wind turbines. Located at the end of the long breakwater pier at Blyth, about 20 km (13 mi) northeast of Newcastle Upon Tyne. Site and tower closed. Operator: Blyth Harbour Commission. ARLHS ENG-013; Admiralty A2754; NGA 2180.
* Blyth High
1788. Inactive since 1985. 18 m (58 ft) 3-stage round brick tower, painted white. No lantern; the light was shown through a square window near the top of the tower. The height of the tower was increased with new stages in 1888 and again in 1900. Christine Westerback has a closeup photo, another good closeup photo is available, and Google has a satellite view. The low light was on an 8 m (26 ft) hexagonal stone tower that does not seem to have survived. Located on Bath Terrace, just above the Quay in downtown Blyth. Site open, tower closed. Owner/site manager: unknown. ARLHS ENG-186; Admiralty A2766.1.
* Blyth Snook Range Front
Before 1920. Active; focal plane 4.5 m (15 ft); continuous blue light. 4 m (13 ft) hexagonal wooden tower, painted white. The light is shown through a small square opening. Dan Tarbit has a closeup photo, and Trabas also has a photo. Located on the north side of the Blyth estuary opposite Low Quay. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS ENG-210; Admiralty A2770; NGA 2200.
Coquet Island
1841 (James Walker). Active; focal plane 25 m (82 ft); four flashes, red or white depending on direction, separated by 2.5 s, every 30 s. 22 m (72 ft) square cylindrical sandstone tower with lantern and castellated stone gallery, attached to a 2-story keeper's house. Lantern and upper third of tower painted white; lower 2/3 of tower is unpainted reddish-gray stone. Fog horn (blast every 30 s). Ian Wright's photo is at right, Trabas has a photo, a 2009 closeup is available, Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Google has a satellite view. The light station is designed so that the keeper's house incorporates the surviving portion of a medieval monastery. Coquet Island is a small island, owned by the Duke of Northumberland, located about 2 km (1.2 mi) off Amble; it is an important bird sanctuary. Site (entire island) and tower closed to the public, but the lighthouse can be viewed from birding cruises from Amble. Operator: Trinity House. Site manager: Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. ARLHS ENG-025; Admiralty A2780; NGA 2228.
* Warkworth South Pier (Amble South Pier)
Date unknown (station established 1848). Active; focal plane 9 m (30 ft); red flash every 5 s. 8.5 m (28 ft) round cast iron post light with gallery, mounted on a round concrete base. Tower painted with red and white horizontal bands. A concrete catwalk leads to the lighthouse. A closeup is available, Trabas has a photo, Ray Byrne has a nice sunset photo, and Google has a satellite view. The light marks the entrance to the River Coquet at Amble; Warkworth is a town about 2.5 km (1.5 mi) upstream. Located at the end of the south pier; apparently accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed but probably visitors can climb atop the base. ARLHS ENG-179; Admiralty A2784; NGA 2232.

Coquet Island Light, October 2007
photo copyright Ian Wright; used by permission
* Warkworth North Pier (Amble North Pier)
Date unknown (station established 1848). Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); green flash every 6 s. 8 m (26 ft) square skeletal tower with gallery and enclosed upper portion. Trabas has a photo, Walter Hall has a view from the south pier, and Google has an indistinct satellite view. Located at the end of the north pier; apparently accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS ENG-178; Admiralty A2785; NGA 2236.

Northeastern Northumberland Lighthouses
* North Sunderland (Seahouses)
1900. Active; focal plane 11 m (36 ft); continuous green light. 8 m (26 ft) hexagonal cylindrical brick tower with a domed roof, painted white; the light is shown through a window. A closeup photo is available, Trabas also has a closeup, and Google has an indistinct satellite view. Located at the end of the breakwater pier on the north side of the entrance to Seahouses Harbour in North Sunderland. Site open, tower closed. Operator: North Sunderland Harbour Commissioners. ARLHS ENG-258; Admiralty A2804; NGA 2244.
* Inner Farne (High) (2)
1811 (Daniel Alexander). Station established 1776. Active; focal plane 27 m (89 ft); two flashes every 15 s, white or red depending on direction. 13 m (43 ft) round brick tower with lantern and gallery, painted white, attached to 1-story keeper's houses. Nigel Mykura's photo is at right, another good photo is available, Trabas has a photo by Ronald Wöhrn, Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Google has a satellite view. The former low light was demolished in 1910. The Farne Islands are a group of small islands extending perpendicular to the coast. Inner Farne is famous as the site of an ancient monastery, dating from St. Cuthbert's residence on the island in the late seventh century. Today the islands are one of Britain's most important bird sanctuaries. In 2005, the National Trust paid £132,000 to purchase the lighthouse from Trinity House. Located on Inner Farne, the island closest to the mainland, about 3 km (2 mi) north of North Sunderland and a similar distance east of Bamburgh. Accessible by boat tours from Seahouses (North Sunderland); also visible from the beach in North Sunderland or Bamburgh. Site open, tower closed. Operator: Trinity House. Owner/site manager: National Trust (Farne Islands National Nature Reserve). ARLHS ENG-060; Admiralty A2812; NGA 2256.
* Inner Farne (1) (Prior Castell's Tower)
1673. Inactive since 1811. Light tower built atop a 4-story castle, now partially in ruins. Another photo is available, and Google has a satellite view. The lighthouse was authorized by King Charles II. Trinity House says merchants refused to pay dues for the light and it was not lit, but there is other evidence that it was in use at least sporadically and continuously starting in 1784. Located at the north end of Inner Farne. Site open, tower status unknown. ARLHS ENG-040.
Inner Farne Light
Inner Farne Light, August 2008
Geograph Creative Commons photo by Nigel Mykura
Staples Island (Peel Tower) (2?)
1784 (station established 1778). Inactive. Ruins, about 4 m (13 ft) high, of a square rubblestone tower. A photo is available, and Google has a satellite view. According to Trinity House, the first lighthouse was blown over by a storm. This is presumably the second lighthouse, built on Staples and not (as Trinity Houses suggests) on Brownsman Island. Located at the southern tip of Staples Island, about 3 km (1.8 mi) northeast of Inner Farne. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower open but not climbable.
Brownsman Island
1800. Inactive since 1811. Approx. 12 m (39 ft) square rubblestone tower, unroofed. A photo is available, and Google has a satellite view. This lighthouse replaced the earlier lights on Staples Island and was then replaced by the Inner Farne High and Low Lights. Brownsman Island is just to the north of Staples Island and about 3.2 km (2 mi) northeast of Inner Farne. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower open but not climbable.
** Longstone
1826 (Joseph Nelson). Active; focal plane 28 m (92 ft); white flash every 20 s. 26 m (85 ft) round stone tower with lantern and gallery, painted red with a broad white horizontal band. Fog horn (2 blasts every 60 s). 1-story keeper's house. Terry Smith's photo is at right, Steve Tomkins has a good closeup, Trabas has Ronald Wöhrn's view from the sea, Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Huelse has a historic postcard view with a 1903 inscription. The lighthouse is famous for the wreck of the steamship Forfarshire in 1838; keeper William Darling and his daughter Grace heroically rescued 9 survivors of the wreck. Located on a tiny island at the outer end of the Farne Islands. Accessible by boat tours from Seahorses (North Sunderland); landings on the island depend on sea conditions. Site open, tower open to guided tours daily April through October if weather and sea conditions permit. Operator: Trinity House. ARLHS ENG-070; Admiralty A2814; NGA 2260.
* Bamburgh (Black Rock Point) (2)
1910. Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); white, red, or green light, depending on direction, occulting twice every 8 s. 10 m (29 ft) square building with lantern mounted on the roof. No keeper's house, as this was never a staffed station. Mark Dodds has a photo, Trabas has an excellent closeup photo by Ian Wright, Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Google has a satellite view. The original lighthouse, a round iron skeletal tower, was demolished in 1975 and the light moved to the roof of the original service building. Located on the rocky shore at Black Rock Point about 1.6 km (1 mi) northwest of Bamburgh. Site open, tower closed. Operator: Trinity House. ARLHS ENG-004; Admiralty A2810; NGA 2252.

Longstone Light
photo copyright Terry Smith; used by permission
Old Law (Guile Point) East
1859 (?) (unlit until about 1992). Active; focal plane 9 m (29 ft); white, red, or green light, depending on direction, 4 s on 2 s off. 21 m (69 ft) square pyramidal stone obelisk; the light is mounted about 1/3 of the way up the tower. In Chris Barker's photo, note the solar panels mounted on the right side of the tower. Trabas has a photo, and Google has a satellite view. The Old Law obelisks mark the southeastern entrance to the harbor of Holy Island, which is just off the mainland southeast of Berwick Upon Tweed. The light was established about 1992, and in 1995 Trinity House assumed responsibility for maintaining the light (note: the tower shown on the Trinity House photo is actually the west beacon). Located at the tip of a long sand spit about 5 km (3 mi) northeast of Detchant. Site open, but there doesn't appear to be any road access to this site. Operator: Trinity House. ARLHS ENG-222; Admiralty A2816; NGA 2262.
[Old Law (Guile Point) West]
1859 (?). Never lit. 25 m (82 ft) square pyramidal stone obelisk. Chris Barker has a great photo, Tim Roberts also has a closeup photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located on the beach about 110 m (120 ft) west of the east beacon. Site open, but there doesn't appear to be any road access to this site.
* [Lindesfarne (Emmanuel Head)]
Around 1800-1810. Never lit. Approx 12 m (39 ft) square pyramidal stone tower, painted white. Rick Crowley has an excellent closeup, Dan Tarbit has a photo, and Google has a satellite view. This historic daybeacon is located on Emmanuel Point, at the northeast corner of Holy Island. Accessible by hiking across the sand from the village. Site open.
* Berwick Upon Tweed Breakwater
1826. Active; focal plane 15 m (49 ft); white flash every 5 s. 13 m (43 ft) round stone tower with a conical stone roof; the light is displayed through a window. The roof and lowest 1/4 of the tower are painted red; the rest of the tower is painted white. Chris Tait's photo is at right, Trabas has a great closeup photo, Grahame Dunbar has a 2008 photo, Huelse has a historic postcard view, Marinas.com has aerial photos, and Google has a satellite view. Berwick Upon Tweed is the northernmost town in England, right on the border of Scotland. Located at the end of the breakwater on the north side of the entrance to the River Tweed. Accessible by walking the breakwater. Site open, tower closed. Operator: Berwick Harbour Commission. ARLHS ENG-173; Admiralty A2818; NGA 2264.

Berwick Upon Tweed Breakwater Light, June 2007
photo copyright Christopher Tait; all rights reserved; used by permission

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Posted August 27, 2004; checked and revised August 4, 2009. Lighthouses: 54, lightships and lightfloats: 4. Site copyright 2009 Russ Rowlett and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.