Flamborough Lighthouse

The Old and New Lighthouses at Flamborough Head

Find out more about the lighthouses at Flamborough Head. Details of opening to the public and the fascinating history of the lighthouses at Flamborough...

Flamborough Head Lighthouses

The main Flamborough lighthouse is the new lighthouse, right on the tip of Flamborough Head. It is a traditional-style, white-washed lighthouse, with a tall, conical tower. There is also an earlier lighthouse at Flamborough a little further inland.

The new (current) lighthouse is easily accessible:

• Drive through the village, for about 1 mile, following the signs for Flamborough Head.



• There is a large car park here, right by the current lighthouse itself. There are toilets and refreshments (refreshments not available in winter months). You can also access the coastal walks and bays at Flamborough Head from here.



• The older lighthouse is just a short walk back up the road, from here

This was a very necessary spot for a lighthouse, with many shipwrecks over the years. Just a look at the rocky outcrops into the sea will suggest why! It is also a very busy spot, in the waters - the lighthouse is used to help direct ships going towards both Scarborough and Bridlington.

Find out more about:

Flamborough Lighthouse Information - Current (Operational) Lighthouse

This is the new lighthouse at Flamborough Head. There is also an earlier lighthouse a little inland.

The lighthouse is currently operational, but is open to the public in the summer months, and at weekends.

Find out more about Flamborough Lighthouse...

• Where?
  • On the headland, at Flamborough Head


• When?
  • Built 1806
  • Designed by architect Samuel Wyatt and built by Bridlington builder, John Matson.
  • The work was completed in 9 months and (amazingly!) was built without scaffolding.
  • It cost £8,000 to build.


• Facts and Figures
  • The tower holds just the light and stairs. The lighthouse keepers lived in adjoining buildings.
  • This was the first lighthouse to give 2 white flashes, followed by 1 red flash. This was quickly adopted as a lighthouse standard.
  • Originally a rocket was set off every 5 minutes in foggy weather, reaching 600ft high
  • A foghorn is now used instead (still operational)


• In 1996 the lighthouse became fully automated. It is still fully operational, and run by Trinity House


• Tower: 87ft high (26.5m) brick built
• Light: 214ft above Mean High Water (65m)
• The light is visible for 24 nautical miles, with the equivalent brilliance of 3.5 million candle power!

Visiting the Flamborough Lighthouse

• The lighthouse is open to the public through the summer months.
• Group bookings may also be taken.
• The lighthouse is closed on Tuesdays (April to September) and Mondays and Tuesdays (October), and in severe weather conditions
• A small charge is payable
• Visits are organised by East Riding Council in association with Trinity House. Click here for more information or call:
  01262 673769

The Old Flamborough Lighthouse - Information

More about the fascinating history behind the old Flamborough lighthouse - thought to be the oldest lighthouse in England! Find out more...

The old lighthouse at Flamborough Head is a beautiful, old building, and very interesting, historically...

Of course, it is non-operational and sadly, is not open to the public. It is a good idea to combine a visit to this lighthouse with a visit to the newer Lighthouse at Flamborough Head

If you drive through Flamborough village, and follow the signs to 'Flamborough Head' and the 'Lighthouses', you will pass this building stood alone in a field near the road, a little inland - it leans quite alarmingly from this approach angle!

You can park in the large car park at Flamborough Head, near the newer lighthouse, and walk back the few hundred yards to view the older lighthouse.

This is a very old and interesting building - thought to be the very first lighthouse in England!

Flamborough Old Lighthouse Facts and Figures

• Where?
  • A little inland at Flamborough Head


• When?
  • Built 1669-1674 by Sir John Clayton


• History
  • At the time (as far as we know!) this was the only example of a lighthouse in England!
  • A chalk, octagonal tower - 79ft high - was built as a lighthouse, but was apparently used as a day beacon instead.
  • It is reputed that instead of being used to save lives, lights were used to lure ships onto the rocks below, so that the villagers could plunder the ships' cargoes (known as 'wrecking').
  • More recent investigations suggest that a fire was never actually lit on top of the tower
  • Between 1770 and 1806 174 ships were wrecked in the area. The current lighthouse was built in 1806.

The lighthouse is non-operational and is not open to the public. It can be viewed very easily from the road.

The lighthouse is owned by East Riding Council.

Martin kindly tells us more about other old lighthouses around the world... (Opens on a visitor comments page - scroll down until you reach the comment about the lighthouses)

Find out more about Flamborough and the area

Where to Stay nearby:

Heather Cottage in Flamborough village (restored fishermen's cottage with beamed interior - 2 small dogs allowed)

The North Star Hotel, North Landing, Flamborough (hotel, right at the North Landing)

If either of the 2 holiday cottages recommended above interest you, please support my website by using the links on this page to book.

The price to you is always the same, but I will earn a small commission.

This allows me to continue to provide you with the information on this website, all for free.

Thanks for your continued support :)



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