Construction masonry tower Intensity 279,000 candela Opened 1847 NGA number 6272 | Focal height 62 m (203 ft) Height 27 m Automated 1995 Year first constructed 1847 | |
 | ||
Location Trevose Head
Cornwall
England Markings / pattern white tower and lantern Current lens 1st order 3 panel catadioptric Address St Merryn, Padstow PL28 8SH, UK Tower shape cylindrical tower with balcony and lantern attached to the keeper's house Similar St Anthony's Lighthouse, Tater Du Lighthouse, Longships Lighthouse, Lizard Lighthouse, Wolf Rock - Cornwall | ||
Trevose head lighthouse cottage interior
Trevose Head Lighthouse is a lighthouse on Trevose Head on the north Cornish coast at grid reference SW850766 lying to the WSW of Padstow and was sited here as there was previously no light from Land's End to Lundy and would be visible from Cape Cornwall to Hartland Point.
Contents
- Trevose head lighthouse cottage interior
- Trevose head lighthouse nimbus cottage
- Construction
- References
After completion of the first tower, it was determined that the light was under certain circumstances liable to be mistaken by mariners. A second lower light was therefore proposed and constructed 50 feet in front of the first light, with a covered passage between them for use by the lighthouse keepers. Only the first built 'high' light now remains.
The tower is 27 metres (89 ft) tall, and has a range of 20 nautical miles (37 km; 23 mi), but, on a clear night, you can just spot the light from Pendeen Lighthouse, over 35 miles (56 km) away.
Trevose head lighthouse nimbus cottage
Construction
Designed by engineer James Walker the two original lights, 'high' and 'low', were constructed under the supervision of Henry Norris by builders Jacob & Thomas Olver of Falmouth with the Fresnel lens supplied by Henry Lépaute of Paris and the lamp with 4 concentric wicks & frame manufactured by Messrs. Wilkins & Co. of Long Acre.
The site was surveyed by order of the Trinity Board in July 1844 with a design submitted that November and approved February 1845. Building began in that May with the laying out of the road and contract entered into with the builders the next month. During gales on 20-21 November 1846 scaffolding attached to the tower was blown away.
The light was first lit on 1 December 1847.
In 1882 the 'high' light was changed to an occulting light and the 'low' light put out of use. In 1912 the light was again updated and work began on installing a 36 feet long fog horn which came into service in 1913 and was itself replaced by a new horn in 1963. The lighthouse was automated and became unmanned in 1995.