Lighthouses in Wales

Strumble Head lighthouse sits on a small island off a rocky headland called Pencaer, or Strumble Head. This is one of Britain’s best places to spot migratory birds and passing cetaceans, and the old observation hut is popular with bird and sea watchers (the most dedicated of whom are known as ‘Strumblers’).

Situated on the southern tip of Ynys Enlli (Bardsey Island), Bardsey lighthouse, the tallest square tower lighthouse in the UK, is painted in jolly red-and white bands, and its light shines red, too – it’s less dangerous for migrating birds than the old white light. 

Here’s a great day trip if you’re holidaying in Pembrokeshire: take the boat across from Tenby, to Caldey Island explore the Cistercian monastery, buy some homemade chocolate from the shop, and walk across the fields to the clifftop lighthouse. Together with its partner on distant Lundy Island, it guides ships into the Bristol Channel. 

It’s just five miles (8km) from Cardiff, but over the years Flat Holm has been a saint’s retreat, a haven for pirates and smugglers, a cholera sanatorium, a gun battery, and – to stop ships bumping into it – a good place for a lighthouse. You can take a day trip from Cardiff and explore the island.

There isn’t a more romantic spot in Wales (or maybe the world…) than Llanddwyn Island. Walk out through the Newborough Warren National Nature Reserve onto a slender, sand-fringed island, past the ruins of a chapel dedicated to St Dwynwen, the Welsh patron saint of lovers. And at the tip, a pair of simple whitewashed lighthouses, with breathtaking views across to Eryri (Snowdonia).

There are actually two lighthouses here on the Glamorgan Heritage Coast’s layer-cake cliffs, both built to warn shipping away from a treacherous sand bank. The larger was manned until 1998; now Nash Point is the only working Welsh lighthouse to have a visitor centre and to be a licensed wedding venue. 

South Stack has perhaps the most spectacular setting of any Welsh lighthouse. Cross onto the island of Anglesey, then hop over onto Holy Island, and finally down 400 stone steps onto yet another tiny island, where there are tours to the top of the 134ft (41m) tower. The surrounding cliffs form the South Stack RSPB reserve where peregrines, choughs and countless sea birds live.

Along with being home to its lighthouse, Skokholm island is located in a spectacular Marine Nature Reserve. It's one of the most important seabird breeding sites in the world with thousands of puffins, Manx shearwaters and storm petrels in residence. Whilst you can't do daytrips, you can stay overnight on Skokholm Island in simple off-grid accommodation - a huge treat if you're a keen birdwatcher.  You can also take a boat trip around the island to look for birds, porpoises and dolphins. Home to similar rare marine birds and wildlife, neighbouring Skomer island is also well worth a visit and daytrips are easy to arrange.  

The walk out to the headland at Penmon Point offers up vast views towards Puffin Island, and back across the Menai Strait to Snowdonia. When it was built in the 1830s, Trwyn Du lighthouse featured a pioneering lavatory, which was supposed to stop seawater from surging back up the pipe. It didn’t work – which is perhaps why it has been unmanned since 1922.

Use our accommodation search to find places to stay near lighthouses.