Hartland Point Lighthouse
Encyclopedia
Hartland Point Lighthouse is a Grade II listed building at Hartland Point
, Devon
, England. The point marks the western limit (on the English side) of the Bristol Channel
with the Atlantic Ocean
continuing to the west.
Trinity House
, the lighthouse authority for England
and Wales
, have a lighthouse on the tip of the peninsula. Built in 1874 by Mr. Yerward of Wales under the direction of Sir James Douglass
, the tower is 18 metres (59.1 ft) tall with the lamp being 37 metres (121.4 ft) above mean sea level. The light can be seen up to 25 miles (40.2 km) away from the coast. It is protected by a 30 metres (98.4 ft) long sea wall which was built in 1925 to prevent erosion of the rocks on which it stands.
It was blessed by Frederick Temple
, Bishop of Exeter
, who later became Archbishop of Canterbury
, and the light was lit for the first time by Lady Stuckley of Hartland Abbey during the opening ceremony on July 1, 1874.
The tower was automated in 1984 and is now controlled from Trinity House Operations Centre at Harwich
in Essex
. Prior to automation the lighthouse was built with accommodation for four keepers and their families. The keepers' dwellings have since been demolished to make room for a Helipad
to be constructed. This was necessary due to the precarious nature of the access road which is liable to frequent rock falls and landslips. Vehicular access is now very difficult and the gates tend to remain locked. The large concrete structures immediately to the south of the lighthouse were to provide the keepers with fresh water.
Having carried out a thorough assessment of the requirements for Aids to Navigation off Hartland Point, Trinity House determined that the light at this location can be reduced to a nominal range of 8 nautical miles. This light can be more economically provided by a modern beacon in front of the original lighthouse, with no detriment to the safety of the Mariner.
Hartland Point
Hartland Point is a high rocky outcrop of land on the northwestern tip of the Devon coast in England. It is three miles north-west of the village of Hartland. The point marks the western limit of the Bristol Channel with the Atlantic Ocean continuing to the west...
, Devon
Devon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
, England. The point marks the western limit (on the English side) of the Bristol Channel
Bristol Channel
The Bristol Channel is a major inlet in the island of Great Britain, separating South Wales from Devon and Somerset in South West England. It extends from the lower estuary of the River Severn to the North Atlantic Ocean...
with the Atlantic Ocean
Atlantic Ocean
The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's oceanic divisions. With a total area of about , it covers approximately 20% of the Earth's surface and about 26% of its water surface area...
continuing to the west.
Trinity House
Trinity House
The Corporation of Trinity House of Deptford Strond is the official General Lighthouse Authority for England, Wales and other British territorial waters...
, the lighthouse authority for England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
and Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
, have a lighthouse on the tip of the peninsula. Built in 1874 by Mr. Yerward of Wales under the direction of Sir James Douglass
James Nicholas Douglass
Sir James Nicholas Douglass, FRS, , was an English civil engineer, a prolific lighthouse builder and designer, most famous for the design and construction of the fourth Eddystone Lighthouse, for which he was knighted....
, the tower is 18 metres (59.1 ft) tall with the lamp being 37 metres (121.4 ft) above mean sea level. The light can be seen up to 25 miles (40.2 km) away from the coast. It is protected by a 30 metres (98.4 ft) long sea wall which was built in 1925 to prevent erosion of the rocks on which it stands.
It was blessed by Frederick Temple
Frederick Temple
Frederick Temple was an English academic, teacher, churchman and Archbishop of Canterbury from 1896 until his death.-Early life:...
, Bishop of Exeter
Bishop of Exeter
The Bishop of Exeter is the Ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of Exeter in the Province of Canterbury. The incumbent usually signs his name as Exon or incorporates this in his signature....
, who later became Archbishop of Canterbury
Archbishop of Canterbury
The Archbishop of Canterbury is the senior bishop and principal leader of the Church of England, the symbolic head of the worldwide Anglican Communion, and the diocesan bishop of the Diocese of Canterbury. In his role as head of the Anglican Communion, the archbishop leads the third largest group...
, and the light was lit for the first time by Lady Stuckley of Hartland Abbey during the opening ceremony on July 1, 1874.
The tower was automated in 1984 and is now controlled from Trinity House Operations Centre at Harwich
Harwich
Harwich is a town in Essex, England and one of the Haven ports, located on the coast with the North Sea to the east. It is in the Tendring district. Nearby places include Felixstowe to the northeast, Ipswich to the northwest, Colchester to the southwest and Clacton-on-Sea to the south...
in Essex
Essex
Essex is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England, and one of the home counties. It is located to the northeast of Greater London. It borders with Cambridgeshire and Suffolk to the north, Hertfordshire to the west, Kent to the South and London to the south west...
. Prior to automation the lighthouse was built with accommodation for four keepers and their families. The keepers' dwellings have since been demolished to make room for a Helipad
Helipad
Helipad is a common abbreviation for helicopter landing pad, a landing area for helicopters. While helicopters are able to operate on a variety of relatively flat surfaces, a fabricated helipad provides a clearly marked hard surface away from obstacles where a helicopter can safely...
to be constructed. This was necessary due to the precarious nature of the access road which is liable to frequent rock falls and landslips. Vehicular access is now very difficult and the gates tend to remain locked. The large concrete structures immediately to the south of the lighthouse were to provide the keepers with fresh water.
Having carried out a thorough assessment of the requirements for Aids to Navigation off Hartland Point, Trinity House determined that the light at this location can be reduced to a nominal range of 8 nautical miles. This light can be more economically provided by a modern beacon in front of the original lighthouse, with no detriment to the safety of the Mariner.