Pendeen Lighthouse

Cornwall Information & Accommodation Guide

Pendeen Lighthouse, known as Pendeen Watch, is located on the north coast of Cornwall on the Land's End peninsula.

The Wra, also known as the Three Stone Oar, is a group of three rocks off Pendeen. Together with Gurnards Head, on whose rocks many ships have been wrecked, the coastline here was a considerable hazard to shipping.

The decision to build the lighthouse was made in 1891 and it then took until 1900 before the lighthouse and fog signal became operational.

Sir Thomas Matthews was responsible for the design of Pendeen Watch. The tower is 58 ft (17 metres). The headland had to be flattened before building could start. Arthur Carkeek of Redruth was responsible for constructing the tower and buildings.

Pendeen Lighthouse started its commission with a five-wick Argand lamp but in 1926 this was modernised and an electric lamp was installed. The mechanism containing the lenses weighs 2.5 tons but despite its huge weight, it can be moved by the touch of one finger as it floats in a container of mercury.

In line with the modernisation of lighthouses, Pendeen Lighthouse was automated in 1995.

There is a terrace of four cottages adjacent to the lighthouse. Three of these housed the three resident keepers and their wives and families.


Lighthouse Cottages

The former lighthouse keepers' cottages are available to rent as holiday cottages.
Click on Pendeen Lighthouse Accommodation and go to Holiday Cottages for details.

Please note the lighthouse itself is a working lighthouse and cannot be rented.

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

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