(50) Whitehaven

Visited 3rd August 2010

This was the third lighthouse that I visited on this day in Cumbria and more significantly it was my 50th lighthouse overall.

Whitehaven is near the Sellafield Nuclear Plant and this lighthouse sits on west harbour entrance.

The harbour has undergone major regeneration and has really benefited from it; however this lighthouse whilst looking nice from a distance is in a bit of a state when you get up close to it.

(49) St. Bee's Head

Visited 3rd August 2010

(48) Maryport

Visited 3rd Aug 2010

(44) Southerness

Visited 21st June 2010

After being on the North East coast of England in the morning I decided to visit one more lighthouse on my return home.

I chose Southerness a coastal village on the South West point of Scotland. Letting my sat-nav get me there was a long and tedious countdown of time and miles. This lighthouse is located at the very end of the road and its one very long journey.

When I drove into Southerness I found it pretty deserted, just rows of static caravans and a road that led to the beach where I found what I’d been driving to see – The lighthouse.

Built in 1749 it is one of Scotland’s oldest lighthouses, it’s unusual with its square shaped tower and is in desperate need of a coat of paint!

(43) Souter

Visited 21st May 2010

(42) St. Mary's

Visited 21st May 2010

(41) Shoreham

Visited 25th July 2009

(40) Beachy Head

Visited 25th July 2009

(9) Start Point

Built in 1836 on Start Point, an exposed peninsula on the South Devon coast, to guide ships along the English Channel.

This is one of my favourite stretches of the UK's coastline and you can walk it on the South West Coast Path.

Start Point is near the picturesque town of Dartmouth.

I took this picture on the 8th June 2005.

(2) The Needles

In April 2003 I went in my friend Steve’s boat to the Isle of Wight. This was a really exciting moment seeing the stunning lighthouse at the end of the Needles.

Taking this photograph was not easy; the boat was going up and down at a fast rate in the rough swell. This was as close as we could get but the scene looked absolutely stunning.

You really need to view this lighthouse by air or sea to get a proper close-up look of it as the view from land is obstructed by the three rock needles that it is there to warn against.

The lighthouse was built in 1859 and work in 2010 strengthened the chalk base which was crumbling.

The Needles are located on the South West part of the Isle of Wight which is just off of the Hampshire coast in Southern England.

(1) Smeaton's Tower

Located in Plymouth, Devon, England.

Built in 1759 Smeaton’s Tower was originally the third lighthouse on the Eddystone Reef which is 9 miles south west of Rame Head in Cornwall.

It was first lit by candles and was in operation until 1877 when it was found that the rocks that it was built on were eroding. When large waves hit the lighthouse it moved from side to side like a wobbly tooth.

The upper part of the lighthouse was moved to its present site on Plymouth Hoe in 1882. Now it is a listed building and serves as a tourist attraction.

Plymouth Hoe the piece of land that the lighthouse is on is world famous. Sir Francis Drake played bowls on the Hoe before going off to beat the Spanish Armada.

This photograph was taken from the hotel that I was stayed inand shows the view across the Hoe including the war memorial and of course Smeaton's Tower. Beyond the lighthouse a cruise ship and naval vessel share Plymouth Sound demonstrating the two big industries of the city - tourism and the navy.

I really like Plymouth, I lived in Devon for 4 years and I always enjoy going back to visit the area.

I went to Smeaton's Tower on the 30th July 2000 and this is the first lighthouse in my collection.