South Stack Lighthouse is one of Wales’ most visited and spectacular lighthouses. It is located about 2-3 miles west of Holyhead, on a tiny islet just off Holy Island on the North West tip of Anglesey.
South Stack has been a warning beacon for passing ships since it’s construction over 200 years ago, cautioning them of the deadly rocks below.
The lighthouse helps guide shipping in the busy channel into the Mersey and is a waymark for local seafarers, as well as for coastal traffic crossing the Irish Sea too and from the ports of Holyhead, Dublin and Dun Laoghaire.
South Stack lighthouse facts
- Height of Tower – 28 m/91 ft
- Height of light above Mean High Water- 60 m
- Automated – 1983
- Electrified – 1938
- Intensity – 467,000 candela
- Range of light – 28 NM
Trinity House, a charity dedicated to protecting shipping and seafarers, built the South Stack Lighthouse. Throughout the history of Trinity House, it’s served mariners in many ways. It’s now a support and welfare center for the UK’s seafaring community, as well as education.
They have a statutory duty, as a General Lighthouse Authority, “to deliver a reliable, efficient and cost-effective aids to navigational services for the benefit and safety of all mariners”. The safety of shipping and the wellbeing of seafarers have been the prime concerns of Trinity House since being incorporated (by Royal Charter) by Henry VIII on the 20th of May, 1514.
Watch your step!
Nowadays the islet, separated from Holy Island by 30 metres of often, turbulent seas and treacherous rocks, is reachable via a footbridge…oh and the 400 steps you need to climb down to get to there! However, this was not always the case. It is a region of granite cliffs, with sheer drops of up to 60 metres, which extend from the breakwater in Holyhead along the south-western shore.
Although the lighthouse’s construction was completed in 1809, a petition to build one was presented to Charles II in 1665. Although the patent was granted, the first light didn’t appear until February 9, 1809 to mark this rocky little island as the lighthouse’s setting. The bridge didn’t get built until 1828!
Trinity House employee, Daniel Alexander, was the main surveyor and architect. Originally he had it fitted with Argand oil lamps and reflectors. Yet, in about 1840, a small railtrack was installed in order that a lantern, with an additional light, could be lowered down the cliff, to sea level, when fog had concealed the main beam above.
In his capacity as surveyor, Alexander built a number of lighthouses, including, the High Lighthouse at Harwich in 1818, and others at Farne and Lundy Islands. His first major work was the improvement of the medieval bridge at Rochester. He was also the principal architect of Dartmoor and Maidstone Prisons, two of the oldest goals still in use. In 1799 he carried out a detailed survey of Rochester Cathedral, and recommended a programme of repairs. Alexander was also a surveyor with the London Dock Company, between 1796 and 183, and was responsible for all the buildings there during that time. Other works include Mote House near Maidstone, built in the 1790s, repairs to Coley House near Reading, as well as extensions to Inigo Jones’ Queen’s House (then the Royal Naval Asylum) in Greenwich, London.
Let there be Light
In the mid 1870s the lighthouse’s lantern and lighting apparatus were replaced by newer machinery. Then, in 1909 (100 years after its construction) an early form of incandescent light was installed. This was replaced in 1927 by a more modern form of incandescent ‘mantle burner’.
The lighthouse was properly electrified in 1938. It wasn’t until 1983 that the lighthouse was automated, meaning that the last lighthouse keepers were withdrawn from the site. A necessary, yet sombre day. From then on the lighthouse was, and still is, monitored and controlled automatically, from Trinity House’s Planning Centre in Harwich, Essex.
In 1983 the footbridge, sadly, had to be closed to the public, due to safety reasons. However, in 1998 a new aluminium bridge was built, and once again the island was opened to the public. This is the bridge we can all still cross today.
Until 1828, before the footbridge was added, the only means of crossing the deep-water channel to the island was via a wicker basket, suspended on a hempen cable! Yes, they had to brave the swirling seas below them in nothing more than a hamper-like container on a rope.
Now, if you’ve ever walked across the footbridge, you’ll know what a terrifying prospect that must have been – although I imagine those who did it were far braver than me.
In 1859, during the horrendous storm that wrecked the ‘Royal Charter’ off Moelfre (some say it should be classed as a hurricane), one of the keepers was fatally hit on the head by a falling rock as he came on duty. Many of the keepers lived here with their families.
I can only imagine what a panic the poor mother must have constantly been in, trying to keep tabs on the children! If you go on the ‘Lighthouse Tour’ you’ll hear more about the domestic side of things on the islet – so, as I don’t want to spoil things, I’ll leave it at that for now.
Today’s lighthouse
The South Stack Lighthouse now welcomes thousands of visitors every year thanks to its breathtaking views and seabird sightings. Tickets can be purchased in the RSPB South Stack shop, next to the cafe, where there’s a large car park. Tours of the lighthouse are also available.
A visit to the engine room and exhibition area, followed by a spiral staircase climb to the top, are included in the tour. Tickets for tours of the South Stack Lighthouse are sold by the RSPB on behalf of Isle of Anglesey County Council, under licence from the Corporation of Trinity House. Take note, the bridge is closed every Friday.
To avoid disappointment, it’s a good idea to call or check the website before you visit, as weather conditions can sometimes restrict access to the island. NB Don’t forget to buy your tickets at the top BEFORE walking down the steps!
You’re advised to wear flat shoes, but not flipflops. Lighthouse tours can cater for groups of up to 20 only. Be aware that at busy times there may be a delay of up to an hour.
Neither toilets nor dogs are allowed on the island. The minimum height for children is 1.1m. Visitors must be able to ascend and descend the stairs without assistance.
Make a day of it
Other facilities in the immediate area include an RSPB visitor and information centre, including a cafe, picnic area, toilets, a viewing ‘tower’ with telescopes and binoculars etc, and guided walks. A full programme of educational, conservation and active pursuits are also available throughout the year – all organised by the RSPB. All profits go towards the cause.
The viewing part of the visitor’s centre is called Elin’s Tower. Elin’s Tower (Tŵr Elin) is a squat, castellated building located only a short walk from the parking area and cafe/shop. Built between 1820 and 1850 by the local, and well known Stanley family from Penrhos, it was originally used as a summer house.
Today it affords fabulous views of the surrounding cliffs and lighthouse. It’s open daily from 10 am to 5 pm, from Easter to September, with free entry. Right on the cliff-edge, it’s an amazing place to watch thousands of breeding seabirds. Here you can watch the gulls, choughs, fulmars, peregrine falcons, guillemots, puffins and razorbills (to name but a few) at your leisure, and can even view live action, via CCTV, of nesting birds on the cliffs.
Between May and June is the best time to visit, when thousands of romantically-minded feathered couples congregate to mate and nest here. There is disabled and pushchair access to Elin’s Tower.
Over 400 stone steps lead down to the lighthouse island (not 365 as local legend has it), and the stunning scenery and geology are unmissable. In the Spring and Summer, you can take advantage of the wide areas of headland, heathland, and hilly interior that this part of the island has to offer.
They become a riot of colour, with coconut-scented yellow gorse, bright-purple heather, and other glorious wildflowers that will, quite literally, wow you! Look closely and you might even see a basking adder, rabbits and hares running free, or beguiling butterflies! Look out to sea you may catch a glimpse frolicking seals or the pods of porpoises and dolphins that often perform below.
Numerous footpaths lead into this bracken-covered, wonderland. Why not hike 700ft to the top of Holyhead Mountain (Mynydd Twr), which takes about 45 minutes. If you don’t have quite enough energy for this, a short stroll along a path that’s opposite the car park will take you to an ancient settlement of stone roundhouses.
The Anglesey Coastal Path passes South Stack, as does the Cybi Circular Walk. The latter has both long and short variants. The shorter walk is 4 miles long and takes about two hours to complete. Sites along the way, as well as those mentioned previously, include the North Stack Fog Signal station, and Holyhead’s Breakwater Park.
Directions to South Stack Lighthouse
On Anglesey, take the A55 dual carriageway from Bangor to Holyhead and then follow signs to Holyhead Town Centre, from where the lighthouse and RSPB reserve are signposted. You can also get there from Trearddur Bay – by following the coastal road around the bay towards Porth Dafarch and Porth-y-post, then head North/NW.
South Stack, Nr Holyhead, LL65 1YH
Telephone: 01407 762100
Email: south.stack@rspb.org.uk
Website: www.rspb.org.uk
South Stack Holiday Cottages
If you would like to stay near South Stack lighthouse we have holiday cottages in South Stack. We also have a selection of cottages nearby in Treaddur Bay, Rhoscolyn and Valley.