West Usk Lighthouse facts for kids
| Location | Uskmouth Newport Wales United Kingdom |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 51°32′26″N 2°59′41″W / 51.54061°N 2.99465°W |
| Year first constructed | 1821 |
| Deactivated | 1922 |
| Construction | brick tower |
| Tower shape | cylindrical tower with balcony and lantern rising from a 2-storey keeper’s house |
| Markings / pattern | white tower and lantern |
| Height | 17 metres (56 ft) |
The West Usk Lighthouse is a special old building located in South Wales. It stands on the Severn Estuary, right where the River Usk meets the sea. This lighthouse is just south of the city of Newport.
Contents
History of the Lighthouse
Building a Beacon
The West Usk Lighthouse was built a long time ago, in 1821. It was the very first lighthouse designed by a famous Scottish engineer named James Walker. He was a very busy person and went on to build 21 more lighthouses after this one!
From Island to Farmland
When the lighthouse was first built, it stood on its own little island. But over time, people changed the land around it. They created new farmland by adding soil and rock, a process called land reclamation. By 1856, the lighthouse was no longer on an island but surrounded by fields.
Life After Lighting Ships
The lighthouse stopped guiding ships in 1922. Even though it no longer shines a light for boats, it still has an important role today! It is now a unique hotel where people can stay.
Visiting the Lighthouse
If you want to visit the lighthouse, there are a couple of ways. Hotel guests can use a private road. Others can enjoy a walk of about 1 kilometer (or 0.6 miles) along a path next to the sea. This path starts from the car park of the Lighthouse Inn.
Lighthouse on Screen
The West Usk Lighthouse has even been on TV! In 2008, it was featured on a show called The Hotel Inspector. More recently, in 2020, it appeared in an episode of the popular science fiction show Doctor Who. The episode was called "Fugitive of the Judoon".
East Usk Lighthouse
On the other side of the River Usk, there is another lighthouse called the East Usk Lighthouse. It's not as big as the West Usk Lighthouse. This smaller lighthouse is located inside the Newport Wetlands wildlife reserve, a great place to see birds and nature.
Images for kids
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West Usk Lighthouse, 2013
