Godrevy Lighthouse

Cornwall Information & Accommodation Guide

Godrevy Lighthouse, near Gwithian in St Ives Bay was built during 1858–1859 by Trinity House.

The lighthouse stands around 300 metres (980 ft) off Godrevy Head on the eastern side of St Ives Bay. It stands on the largest rock of the Stones reef. This reef had been a problem for ships for many years but it was when, on the 11th November 1854, that the SS Nile was wrecked with the loss of all on board, that the final decision was made to build a lighthouse here.

Godrevy lighthouse is a white octagonal tower, 86 feet (26 m) high. Originally its light was a revolving white one with a fixed red light below the main light, which could be seen over a 45-degree arc when a ship was in danger of the reef. Later this was replaced by a red area on the main light.

Originally, the lighthouse would have had a team of three keepers manning it but in 1934 the lighthouse was automated.

The light flashes white/red every ten seconds, with the red sector only being visible in the arc of danger from the reef. The range of the light is around 12 miles (19 km).

Virginia Woolf visited Godrevy lighthouse in September 1892 with a party that also contained William Holman Hunt, the pre-Raphaelite artist. Both signed the visitor book which has sold recently at auction for £10,250. The lighthouse is believed to have been the inspiration for Virginia Woolf's book To the Lighthouse.

A book, Godrevy Light by Charles Thomas and Jessica Mann details the history of the lighthouse and its representation in numerous art works.

There is a car park on Godrevy Headland where you can enjoy views of the lighthouse.

Join the National Trust to enjoy free parking here and free entry to National Trust properties all over Cornwall

Books online:
Click here to buy books online about Godrevy Lighthouse

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