Whitby Lighthouse Information

Find out all about the lighthouses at Whitby, Yorkshire. Information about the harbour and pier lighthouses and the Whitby 'high light' lighthouse at Ling Hill. Where to visit, facts and figures...

The main lighthouse in Whitby is built outside of Whitby town, to the south of the town at Ling Hill. It is known as Whitby High Light.

It is a traditional-looking, white-washed lighthouse, with an octagonal tower. It's not as tall as most lighthouses - in fact, you might be surprised at how short it actually looks! This is probably due to the fact that it is already on top of a tall cliff, with quite a commanding view of the seas.

Sadly, this lighthouse is NOT open to the public, as it is still operational. However, 2 of the lighthouse keepers' cottages adjoining the lighthouse are available for holiday lets.

More about the Whitby 'High Light' Lighthouse at Ling Hill

As well as the 'traditional-style' lighthouse at Ling Hill, there are lighthouses, of a kind, positioned as navigational aids, at the entrance to the harbour.

These are perhaps not 'traditional' white-washed lighthouses as you might recognise them, but they are illuminated navigational aids, and are interesting in their own right.

These lighthouses are positioned on the East and West piers in Whitby - so are very easily accessed from the town - one is even open for tourists during the summer months.

To find out more about the Whitby lighthouses, click the links below:

Whitby Lighthouse - Harbour and Pier

There are 4 lighthouses at the harbour, 2 old and 2 new. One is open to the public.

Whitby Pier Lighthouses

There are 4 of these 'lighthouses' used as navigational aids at the entrance to the harbour...

• 2 new ones - which are operational
• 2 old ones - which are no longer operational

Whitby West Pier Light (Old)

• Where?
  • On the west pier, Whitby


• When?
  • Built 1831


• What?
  • Built of stone
  • An 83ft high column tower, with a lantern on top.
  • The light is visible for 10 miles


• History
  • This was replaced by the new Whitby West Pier Light in 1914.


• Today
  • The lighthouse still displays a green light - only when a boat is actually expected, to show it is safe to enter the harbour.
  • Open to the public as a historic attraction. Summer months only. Contact Whitby Tourist Information for more details. Tel: 01723 383636
  • Run by the Port of Whitby

Whitby West Pier Light (New)

• Where?
  • On the end of the west pier, Whitby


• When?
  • Built after the pier was extended in 1914


• What?
  • Built as a wooden framework tower on 'legs'
  • 23ft high


• Today
  • Currently operational, with an automated, fixed green light
  • NOT open to the public
  • Run by the Port of Whitby

Whitby East Pier Light (Old)

• Where?
  • On the east pier, Whitby


• When?
  • Built 1854


• What?
  • Built of stone
  • A 55ft high column tower, with a lantern on top.
  • The light is visible for 8 miles


• History
  • This was replaced by the new Whitby East Pier Light in 1914.


• Today
  • This is NOT open to the public.
  • Run by the Port of Whitby

Whitby East Pier Light (New)

• Where?
  • On the end of the east pier, Whitby


• When?
  • Built after the pier was extended in 1914


• What?
  • Built as a wooden framework tower on 'legs'
  • 23ft high


• Today
  • Currently operational, with an automated, fixed red light
  • NOT open to the public
  • Run by the Port of Whitby

Go to the official Port of Whitby web pages

The 'High Light' Whitby Lighthouse

This is the main, 'traditionally styled', white-washed Whitby lighthouse, just outside of the town at Ling Hill. It is currently operational, and therefore not open to the public - but the adjoining cottages are available for holiday lets...

Whitby 'High Light' Lighthouse Facts and Figures...

• Where?
  • Ling Hill, outside Whitby


• When?
  • Built 1858 to a design by James Walker


• History
  • Originally there was also a 'South Light', with a tower 66 ft high
  • This was closed in 1890, and alterations made to the current lighthouse to make the lighting more efficient, so the 'High Light' became the main lighthouse here.
  • The lighthouse was electrified in 1976
  • The lighthouse was fully automated in 1992


• Facts and Figures
  • Height: 13m (44ft)
  • Height of light above mean high water: 73m
  • Range of Light:
    • White Light: 18 nautical miles
    • White Light: 16 nautical miles


• Current Use
  • The lighthouse is operated and run by Trinity House
  • There is no working fog horn
  • Whitby 'high light' lighthouse is not open to the public
  
  
  
  • 2 lighthouse cottages are available as holiday lets. These adjoin the lighthouse (you do not stay in the lighthouse tower itself). These look lovely places to stay, in a beautiful, cliff-top location - quiet and away from it all, but with easy access to all the attractions of Whitby, and the area...

More Whitby tourist information

Return to the main Yorkshire East Coast Lighthouses page

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