Past Group Trips

I began my solo trips to lighthouses in 2020, a time which was tumultuous for a lot of people (myself included). Travelling to lighthouses brought me peace; their secluded and dramatic locations were great comfort in a time of unrest and uncertainty. Over time, and as my online presence grew, I thought it would be lovely to share this experience with other people. The group trips began as an experiment, to see if anyone would show up. So far over 50 people have come along on the trips!

Our first Lighthouse Explorers group trip was to Beachy Head and Belle Tout on 12th May 2024. We had a wonderful group of 11 enthusiasts who hiked over the cliffs, sharing stories and sea air.

Beachy Head Lighthouse, built by Trinity House in 1902, stands at the base of the cliffs and was the last wave-washed masonry lighthouse they ever built. It was constructed with Cornish granite brought down by a temporary cable car! Originally oil-lit, it was electrified in 1920 and fully automated by 1983. Today, its LED light still helps guide ships safely past this dramatic stretch of coast.

Belle Tout, meanwhile, is the older cliff-top lighthouse built in 1832, made of Aberdeen granite. It was famously decommissioned in 1902 because sea mists often hid its light. These days, it’s a beautiful private residence and holiday home with stunning views.

Our second journey took us to Old Dungeness Lighthouse, a fantastic place both for its climb and its history. The tower we visited dates back to 1904, but there’s been a lighthouse at Dungeness since 1615! The current 1961 lighthouse, still in operation, stands 43 m tall and was fully electrified and automated right from the start.

The old lighthouse is now a museum, where you can discover how Dungeness was once a testing ground for foghorns and electric lights. The general public can explore the lighthouse, but it’s worth checking the opening times before you make the trip.

The final trip of 2024 was to Nash Point Lighthouse. Unfortunately, due to poor weather, the attendance was limited. Whilst I was the only one there, I still had a wonderful time.

Built in 1832, Nash Point originally had two towers: High and Low, to help sailors avoid the dangerous Nash Sands. It was automated in 1998, and while the interior isn’t always open to the public, the setting on a windswept cliff is worth the visit alone.

We kicked off the 2025 season with incredible trips to exploring Smeaton’s Tower on Plymouth Hoe and then sailing out to see the legendary Eddystone Lighthouse. The latter involved a private charter boat, which took us 20km offshore!

Smeaton’s Tower, built in 1759, was a pioneering lighthouse using interlocking granite blocks and hydraulic lime mortar; these techniques influenced lighthouse design worldwide. When the rocks it stood on began to erode, it was dismantled and moved stone by stone to Plymouth (paid for by the people of Plymouth), where it still stands as a historic monument you can climb.

The current Eddystone Lighthouse offshore dates from 1882. It’s fully automated and still plays a crucial role, warning ships away from the hidden reefs around 20 km from the coast.

This lighthouse was an absolute picture. Positioned up on the cliffs of Dover, this lighthouse has been beautifully maintained by the National Trust. If you’re a member, you can have the lighthouse tour for free.

Built in the 1840s, South Foreland has a special claim to fame: it became the world’s first lighthouse powered by electricity in 1858, thanks to the pioneering work of Michael Faraday and Trinity House. From the lantern room, you get sweeping views over the iconic White Cliffs.

The first June group trip was to the Point of Ayr Lighthouse, built back in 1776 to guide ships into the Dee Estuary. Managed by Trinity House from 1819, it once had a screw-pile replacement and even a lightship before being decommissioned.

Today, it stands empty on the sands near Talacre. It’s extremely atmospheric and windswept; it makes for striking photos and a quiet moment to reflect on the lives it once helped save.

At the end of June we travelled to Southwold Lighthouse on the Suffolk coast. First built in 1890 and rebuilt after a fire just days later, this 31m brick tower remains an active aid to navigation.

It was automated back in 1938 and now flashes every ten seconds, with a range of 24 NM. Tours are run by Adnams (yes, the brewery!), and climbing to the top rewards you with incredible views over the town and sea.

It also rewards you with 10% off beer in the gift shop, so it’s both an emotional and financial investment.

There were meant to be two group trips to round off the 2025 season, the first being Spurn Point, and the second being Tynemouth. Unfortunately, due to poor weather, these trips were cancelled.

It felt anticlimactic to wait until 2026, so in October, I released a surprise bonus trip to Trinity Buoy Wharf lighthouse in London! The event tickets sold out after a few days, and we had a brilliant time exploring London’s only lighthouse.

This lighthouse was built to experiment with new technologies and train rookie lighthouse keepers. Today, it houses the wonderful longplayer installation, a musical composition set to last for a thousand years. It is also open to the public at weekends.

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