Porthcawl Lighthouse

Porthcawl Lighthouse stands at the end of Porthcawl jetty on a low limestone headland on the South Wales coast. It overlooks the Bristol Channel and was built in 1860 as a navigational aid. The lighthouse was the last coal and gas-powered one in the United Kingdom. It switched to North Sea gas in 1974 and then to electricity in 1997. The jetty and surrounding area are popular spots for sea fishing. The lighthouse marks the western end of the town’s promenade, which runs from Lock’s Common to the harbour. The promenade was built in 1887 to celebrate Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee and was restored in 1996. Nearby stands the Grand Pavilion, opened in 1932 at a cost of £25,000. The singer and actor Paul Robeson once performed there via a transatlantic telephone link. Visitors find a white lighthouse at the end of the jetty, with views across the Bristol Channel. The promenade offers cafes, bars and hotels with sea views. The Grand Pavilion hosts shows and the annual pantomime. The Harbour Quarter includes the Jennings Building, Wales’ oldest maritime warehouse, and Cosy Corner park. Historic ships such as the PS Waverley and MV Balmoral sail from the area in summer.