West Usk Lighthouse

West Usk Lighthouse stands on the Severn Estuary at the mouth of the River Usk, south of Newport in South Wales. It is a Grade II-listed building and was the first lighthouse designed by James Walker, a prominent Scottish civil engineer. Walker went on to build another 21 lighthouses after this one. The land around the lighthouse was once an island until reclamation work in 1856. It ceased operating as a lighthouse in 1922 and now serves as a hotel. The lighthouse is accessible via a private road off the B4239 or a 1-kilometre walk along the sea wall footpath from the Lighthouse Inn car park. It has been featured in television programmes, including an episode of *The Hotel Inspector* in 2008 and the *Doctor Who* episode "Fugitive of the Judoon" in 2020. The nearby East Usk Lighthouse lies within the Newport Wetlands wildlife reserve on the opposite bank of the river. Visitors to the West Usk Lighthouse hotel find themselves in a historic building with views over the estuary. The private road and sea wall footpath provide scenic approaches to the site. The lighthouse sits beside the Pont-y-cwcw Reen, a small watercourse. Its Grade II listing recognises its architectural and historical significance. The surrounding area offers peaceful walks along the estuary and opportunities to observe local wildlife.