South Stack Lighthouse

About the museum

South Stack Lighthouse stands on a rocky island separated from Holy Island by a narrow stretch of rough sea, below tall granite cliffs. A petition to build a lighthouse here was presented to Charles II in 1665, but it was refused, and the first light finally shone on 9 February 1809. The tower was designed by the Trinity House surveyor Daniel Alexander and was first fitted with Argand oil lamps and reflectors. It marks the busy sea route between Dublin, Holyhead and Liverpool.

The lantern and lighting apparatus were renewed in the mid 1870s, an early incandescent light was installed in 1909, and the station was electrified in 1938. On 12 September 1984 the lighthouse was automated and the keepers left. It is now monitored and controlled remotely by Trinity House.

Today visitors buy tickets at a kiosk next to the RSPB café and go down to the island for a guided tour, which includes the tower and the engine room and exhibition area. The tower is about 28 metres high, and the visit is weather permitting and seasonal.

Highlights

• Guided climb up the lighthouse tower
• Engine room and exhibition area
• Lighthouse of 1809 on its own island
• Setting beside the RSPB South Stack Cliffs reserve

Permanent exhibitions

• Lighthouse tower tour – A guided climb up the 1809 tower to the lantern.
• Engine room and exhibition – An engine room and exhibition area on the island tell the story of the lighthouse and its keepers.

Admission & discounts

Tickets are sold at the kiosk next to the RSPB café; card payment is preferred, and only cash is accepted on the lighthouse island for entrance tickets. Parking is charged separately by the RSPB (all day £7.50 for non-members, up to one hour £3.50; Blue Badge holders park free).

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Trinity House states that the historic building is not suitable for some visitors with limited mobility. Some stone floors and stairs are worn and uneven, and some staircases are very steep and must be descended facing the stairs. The RSPB site has Blue Badge spaces in two car parks and an accessible toilet in its visitor centre. Dogs are not allowed on the lighthouse island.

Kids & families

Only partly suitable for kids

• Baby changing facilities

Children are welcome but must be at least 1.1 metres tall and able to climb and descend the stairs unaided. Children and babies cannot be carried on the stairs, so baby carriers are not allowed. Baby-changing facilities are available in the RSPB visitor centre toilets.

Getting there & parking

Take the A55 into Holyhead, follow signs to the town centre and then the brown signs to South Stack, about 3 miles away.

Amenities & dining

• Café

The RSPB café, ticket kiosk and parking payment machine are in the same area, and the RSPB visitor centre has toilets that are open daily from 10:00 to 17:00.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit