Smalls Lighthouse

Smalls Lighthouse stands on a wave-washed basalt and dolerite rock called The Smalls. It lies about thirty-two kilometres west of Marloes Peninsula and thirteen kilometres west of Grassholm in Pembrokeshire. The first lighthouse was built in 1776 on nine oak pillars that let the sea pass underneath. In 1861 a new stone tower replaced the old wooden structure after repeated repairs and storm damage. The lighthouse has been the most remote one operated by Trinity House since it was completed. The lighthouse is worth the journey because of its unusual history and influence. The original design used English oak instead of cast iron for greater flexibility. In 1801 a keeper kept the light burning while his partner’s decaying body dangled outside the hut. A massive wave in 1831 tore up the keepers’ floor and killed one of them. The new tower introduced automation in 1987 and became Britain’s first wind- and solar-powered lighthouse. Its 35-watt bulb can be seen up to thirty-four kilometres away, and it was the first to have a flushing toilet. Visitors find a solid stone tower rising above the rocks. A helideck was added above the lantern in 1978 for easier access. Inside, the light is magnified by lenses to reach its long range. The surrounding sea stretches to the horizon, and Grassholm island lies in the distance. The story of the lighthouse has been told on television and in films, keeping its history alive.