Withernsea Lighthouse

Withernsea is a very unusual lighthouse - as it is not on the coast! No! Withernsea is an inland lighthouse...!

If you are thinking that this is a bit strange, you are right - and I will explain it all... later...

The Withernsea lighthouse is not currently operational - but is open to the public during the summer months, as a museum.

Even though it is inland, the lighthouse is still easily visible for miles around - it is very tall, and the land is very flat around here!

Learn more about the Withernsea Lighthouse

• Where?
  • Hull Road, Withernsea


• When?
  • Built 1892-1894, over an 18 month period
  • Designed by Trinity House
  • Built by Strattens of Edinburgh


• History
  • The lighthouse was built here because of the large number of shipwrecks still happening in the area - which is right between the Spurn Head lighthouses and the Flamborough Lighthouses.
  
  
  • Today, the lighthouse is in the middle of a housing estate about 1/4 of a mile from the sea. When it was built, the lighthouse was positioned on a solid bit of land as near as possible to the coast. Sand dunes and a mere were in front of the lighthouse - and this bit of coast is very prone to coastal erosion. In later years, the promenade was extended into this area - this allowed the buildings we now see to be built.


• Facts and Figures
  • The lighthouse is an octagonal shape, with just a staircase (with 144 steps) and a lamp room at the top.
  • The tower is 127ft high (the light is 120ft above sea level)
  • The light was visible for 17 miles
  • 2 cottages adjoin the tower, as lighthouse keepers cottages. These now contain the museum.
  • The lighthouse was decommissioned 1st July 1976


• Today
  • The lighthouse at Withernsea is now a museum about:
    • The lighthouse
    • RNLI and HM Coastguard in the area
    • Local History
    • Contains the Kay Kendall Memorial (a 1950's film star who was born in Withernsea)
    • Has fantastic views from the top of the lighthouse tower!

For more details, visit the Withernsea Lighthouse Museum website
or call:
01964 614834

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