Hartland Point Lighthouse

Hartland Point Lighthouse stands on the western tip of a rocky peninsula in Devon, marking the boundary between the Bristol Channel and the Atlantic Ocean. The Grade II listed tower was designed by Sir James Douglass and completed in 1874, rising 18 metres above the cliffs. A 30-metre sea wall, built in 1925, protects the base from erosion. Nearby concrete structures once supplied fresh water to the keepers’ families. The site once included four cottages for the keepers, now demolished to make way for a helipad. The lighthouse’s first optic flashed red and white every thirty seconds, visible up to 25 miles away. A reed fog signal, later replaced by a siren and then a diaphone, warned ships in poor visibility. In 1927 the light was electrified and upgraded to a biform optic showing six quick flashes every 7.5 seconds. Automation in 1984 transferred control to Trinity House’s centre in Essex. The original lens, a rare biform design, was stolen in 2022 during restoration work. Visitors reach the lighthouse via a gated cliff road prone to landslides, often locked for safety. The automated LED beacon now guides ships at night, while the old tower and helipad remain. The 16-acre site offers sweeping sea views across the Atlantic. The stolen optic’s return is still hoped for, as it holds historical significance. The rugged coastline and exposed position make the site dramatic and remote.