Southwold Lighthouse facts for kids
| Location | Southwold, Suffolk |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 52°19′38″N 01°40′53″E / 52.32722°N 1.68139°E |
| Year first constructed | 1890 |
| Automated | 1938 |
| Construction | brick tower |
| Tower shape | cylindrical tower with balcony and lantern |
| Markings / pattern | white tower and lantern |
| Height | 31 metres (102 ft) |
| Focal height | 37 metres (121 ft) |
| Original lens | 1st order 920 mm focal length, catadioptric fixed lens (original), Pelangi PRL400TH (current) |
| Intensity | 17,100 candela |
| Range | 24 nautical miles (44 km) |
| Characteristic | White rotating – flashing once every 10 seconds |
The Southwold Lighthouse is a tall, white tower that helps ships navigate the North Sea coast in Suffolk, England. It stands right in the middle of the town of Southwold. This lighthouse is like a giant flashlight, guiding ships safely past the coast and into Southwold harbour.
The lighthouse was built a long time ago, in 1890. It became automatic and used electricity in 1938, meaning people didn't have to light it by hand anymore. Just six days after it first started working, there was a small fire in its oil lamp, but it was quickly fixed. Today, it uses a powerful 180-watt light that can be seen from about 24 nautical miles (44 km; 28 mi) away!
Contents
The Story of Southwold Lighthouse
Building the lighthouse began in 1887. It was designed by a famous engineer named Sir James Douglass. Before this lighthouse, there were three smaller lights on the cliff. These were turned off when the new, bigger lighthouse started working on September 3, 1890.
The top part of the lighthouse, called the lantern, and the special lens inside it were actually used before! They came from another lighthouse called Happisburgh Low Lighthouse, which was taken down in 1883. This means parts of Southwold Lighthouse are even older than the lighthouse itself!
When it first started, the light used an oil lamp. It would flash twice every 20 seconds. The main light was white, but it also showed red light in certain directions. These red lights warned ships about dangerous sandbanks nearby.
Just after the lighthouse opened, there was a fire in the lamp. The people working there were new and still learning, which was thought to be the cause.
Over the years, the light source changed. It used different types of oil burners before becoming electric in 1938. When it became electric, its flashing pattern also changed. In 2001, it was updated to run on batteries, which are charged by electricity.
In 2005, there was a worry that Southwold Lighthouse might close. This was because more ships were starting to use satellite navigation instead of relying on lighthouses. But after a review in 2009, it was decided that satellite systems weren't always reliable enough, so the lighthouse stayed open!
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In 2012, the light's range was made even longer, reaching 24 nautical miles (44 km; 28 mi). This was important because another nearby lighthouse, Orfordness Lighthouse, was closing. To make the light stronger, a new, smaller lamp was put in. Parts of the old, large lens were removed. One piece is now on display at the bottom of the lighthouse, and another is at Happisburgh Lighthouse. The remaining parts of the old lens are kept as a backup in case the new light ever stops working.
How the Light Shines Today
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Since 2016, the lighthouse uses a special 180-watt LED lamp. This lamp flashes white once every 10 seconds. The white light helps ships generally find their way. The red warning lights, which used to show dangerous areas, were removed in 2012 because new navigation methods make them less necessary.
Inside and Around the Lighthouse
The Southwold Lighthouse is 31 metres (102 ft) tall. It's made of brick and painted white. To reach the top, you have to climb 113 steps on a spiral staircase! The lighthouse keepers, who used to live and work there, had separate cottages next to the lighthouse instead of living inside it.
The lighthouse is a "Grade II listed building." This means it's an important historical building that is protected. You can even visit the lighthouse! Guided tours are offered by the Adnams brewery, which is a company nearby.
The lighthouse has also been used for special charity events. In 2009, 2011, and 2013, people did "abseiling" down the side of the lighthouse to raise money for the local lifeboat station, which helps people in trouble at sea.
See also
- List of lighthouses in England
