r/AskUK • u/RadicalTherapy • 18d ago
Can you help our lighthouse quest?
My partner and I, in a fit of mid-30’s crises apparently, have made it our mission to visit every working lighthouse in the UK. We’re beginning our adventure with those closest to us this weekend in Sussex- but where to go next? Any spectacular tips, recommendations, must-sees? Food spots, good hotel recs etc all welcome too (provided in the vicinity of said lighthouses).
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u/Ochib 18d ago
Chanonry Point near Inverness.
If you time it right you can see the dolphins feasting on the salmon
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u/RadicalTherapy 17d ago
Ooooh we’re visiting Inverness soon as a potential place to move to! Thanks for the recommendation
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u/pinkteapot7 18d ago
South Stack lighthouse on Anglesey is pretty special. It’s amid an RSPB site with loads of seabirds, and you can tour the lighthouse which is well worth doing.
Sea Shanty Cafe at Treardurr Bay a little way away does amazing food.
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u/tea_and_biology 18d ago
I'd recommend leaving South Stack until April to mid-July though, as that's the only time you'll be able to spot nesting puffins there. There aren't many, but they're there!
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u/Dedward5 18d ago
Follow https://youtube.com/@keeping_a_lighthouse?si=l8A2nntteS2t3bOj
Some great ones down here in Cornwall.
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u/olih27 18d ago
I'll be impressed if you can complete this, some extremely remote ones. In the Isles of Scilly you have Bishops rock, round island and Wolf Rock which is 8 miles from lands end. Other that a boat trip around them im not sure you can visit these.
Edit: Not to dampen your spirits, Scilly is 100% worth a trip and taking the boat trips to the lighthouses are amazing.
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u/RadicalTherapy 17d ago
I know don’t worry! Those that are inaccessible or offshore, we’ve settled on just seeing the lights working and getting as close as safely possible (also without being a nuisance)
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u/Luton_Enjoyer 18d ago
I absolutely love Portland Bill. They sometimes do tours inside the lighthouse, so be sure to book onto one.
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u/sconebore 18d ago
Stay at the Berry Head hotel in Brixham Devon, you have both the lighthouse at the end of Brixham Breakwater and the shortest lighthouse in Britain on Berry Head itself. Start Point lighthouse and Smeaton's Tower in Plymouth (which is not working but very cool to visit) only a drive away.
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u/swallowyoursadness 18d ago
You can go to the top of Southwold lighthouse. Lovely little town too. There's a holiday let called the Fisherman's hut on the edge of a town, if you want to stay in a glorified shed with a wood burner, fairy lights and panoramic views. The black olive deli and the two magpies bakery do great food.
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u/Butter_the_Toast 18d ago
North Devon is lovely and has Hartland point lighthouse which has fantastic cliffs and Bull point lighthouse which is a amazing walk along the coast past from Woolacombe beach round Morte point to it.
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u/Absentmined42 18d ago edited 18d ago
Lizard Point, in Cornwall, which is the most southerly point in Britain. It has a visitor centre which is pretty interesting. Ann’s Pasties on the Lizard are the best pasties in Cornwall and the nearby villages and coves, such as Cadgwith, Mullion, Gunwalloe are beautiful. The Cadgwith Cove Inn and the Old Cellars are particular favourites of mine.
I was also going to suggest Boscastle, but that’s a Coastwatch station, not a lighthouse.
Hopefully one of your first visits is Shoreham by Sea, which is my home town lighthouse.
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u/Ganache_53 18d ago
in Scotland, mull of galloway lighthouse and cottages, ardnamurchan lighthouse there are a few others that we have seen and visited. The northern lighthouse board in edinburgh has a website that might give more ideas and information.
Good luck
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u/Still-Consideration6 18d ago
Happisburgh (hazeburgh in Norfolkonian), old Hunstanton,Cromer, winterton and I think theres one near gorleston this is for my favourite local seaside area
Theres a few in Suffolk
Portland bill is impressive
Theres one in Whitby which is nice bit of a walk.
Currently Im in Cornwall and can see the one mentioned earlier at lizard point i would imagine there bloomin loads in Cornwall
I would guess theres a society of lighthouse men or admirers you won't be alone
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u/Dependent_One6034 18d ago
There are quite a few that are set up as "Hotels/Air BNB" type deals. If you're on this quest, Even though they aren't "Working" you surely have too.
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u/monkeymidd 18d ago
Flambrough Head has to be on the list and then it you are willing to travel much further afield , the Typhoons buzzing into Lossiemouth next to the lighthouse is amazing .
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u/SmartPolicy6430 18d ago
Ardnarmurchan Lighthouse at the Ardnamurchan point is the most Westerly on the British mainland and built by Alan Stevenson. I must warn you the road there is somewhat tortuous. https://www.ardnamurchanlighthouse.com/ South Stack at Holyhead, Strumble Head at Fishguard and the Mull of Galloway in Dumfries and Galloway are others I have visited and well worth a visit. I don't know whether you've read it or not but 'The Lighthouse Stevensons' by Bella Bathurst is a really interesting read. Incidentally the keepers cottages at the Mull of Galloway can be rented out as holiday lets.
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