-
A gem of the Scottish coast: Rattray Head lighthouse
The lighthouse built despite repeated rejections from Trinity House: Rattray Head lighthouse. The tower was originally proposed by engineer Alan Stevenson in 1851, however, the lighthouse’s construction was postponed repeatedly due to skepticism over its necessity. I visited the lighthouse in September 2023, and was blown away by its beauty.
-
Exploring Lowestoft Lighthouse 🌊
Urgent Crisis: I’m running out of lighthouses in close proximity to London. I’ve had a good run, hopping on trains and cycling to see a lighthouse for a day. However, times are getting tough.
-
Do lighthouse keepers and operators still exist?
For the most part, no. If you dream of becoming a lighthouse keeper, the easiest method is travelling 100 years into the past. Most lighthouses are now electrified and automated, run from central offices and inspected once a year. By no means hang up your lighthouse keeper’s jumper. A few lighthouses still require a hands-on…
-
Remembering Gerry Douglas-Sherwood
Gerry Douglas-Sherwood was a founding member of the Association of Lighthouse Keepers, and the first editor of their ‘LAMP’ journal. He interviewed beautifully; Peter Halil’s chat with him on the Needles Lighthouse is a wonderful watch. He passed away in 2022, and this summer a few ALK members scattered his ashes at Flatholm Island. He…
-
A 50-mile lighthouse trek to Happisburgh Lighthouse
Lighthouse exploring is many things, but it is not an adventure for the faint of heart. At this point I’ve been on many a lighthouse explore, but Norfolk wins all of the awards for most physical pain and the worst weather. My feet occasionally still feel the Ghosts of Blisters Past.
-
Behind the curtain at Trinity Buoy Wharf | The Lighthouse, SS Robin & Lightship 95
A behind-the-scenes tour of Trinity Buoy Wharf, exploring the lighthouse, the SS Robin, and Lightship 95. As a lighthouse enthusiast, I loved exploring the site and getting to have a peak behind the curtain.
-
Uncovering the Charms of Dungeness Lighthouses | Lighthouse Explorers’ 2nd Group Trip
Whilst talking to Geoff Saunders on the Lighthouse Explorers podcast, he touched upon the Dungeness lighthouses. He mentioned Derek Jarman (film maker, artist, gay activist, and more), his ties to the area, and the beautiful desolate landscape. It’s rare to get two lighthouses within walking distance, and rarer still to see two which are so…
-
Tricking strangers into visiting lighthouses with me! Our first Lighthouse Explorers Group Trip: Beachy Head and Belle Tout lighthouses
On the 12th May a group of 10 Lighthouse Explorers (and myself) visited Beachy Head and Belle Tout lighthouses in Eastbourne! This was the first Lighthouse Explorers group trip we’ve had thus far, and in my eyes it was a resounding success. By that, I mean no-one outright said that they’d had a terrible time,…
-
How do you look after a lighthouse? A conversation with an ex-lighthouse keeper
Julian was a lighthouse keeper for twenty years, from 1974 to 1994. He was kind enough to sit down with me and talk through his experiences as a lighthouse keeper.
-
The First Lighthouse Explorers Group Trip!
It’s official! The first Lighthouse Explorers trip to visit lighthouses is on the calendar. We’ll be visiting the Belle Tout and Beachy Head lighthouses, in Eastbourne. Visit this page to find out more: https://lighthouseexplorers.com/lighthouse-group-trips/ Tickets are free, and everyone is welcome! See you there 🙂