Watchet Lighthouse

United Kingdom

In the 1850s parts of Watchet harbour were falling into disrepair. The West Somerset Railway was nearing completion to the port where iron ore from the Brendon Hills was to be exported to South Wales. The Watchet Harbour Act was passed in 1857 placing it under the control of Commissioners. The west pier on which the lighthouse now stands was built in 1860.
Tenders for the new lighthouse were placed in 1860 and three bids were received, one of which was from Isambard Kingdom Brunel.
His bid was rejected and a design by James Abernethy was built by Hennet Spinks and Else of Bridgwater for the grand sum of £75.
In 1904 Chance Brothers of Smethwick near Birmingham were commissioned to build a new optic for the lighthouse. It appears this remains in situ as I have been unable to find any record to the contrary in my research.

Manufacture Date	1904
Lighthouse Construction	1862
Country	United Kingdom
Commissioning Body	Watchet Harbour Commissioners
Lens Order	5th order
Lens Type	Fixed
Status	publish
Light Character	F G
Lighthouse Markings	A red Hexagonal cast iron tower 22 feet tall with a white lantern, green cupola roof topped with an ornate weather vane.
Lighthouse Parts	None
Management Body Ports Authority	Somerset West and Taunton Council
Preserver	Watchet Marina
Coastal Erosion Vulnerability
Condition Observations	None
Open Status (Site)	Open
Open Status (Tower)	Closed
Coordinates	51.1839770042,-3.3286390743
Other	The lighthouse can be viewed by walking along the west harbour wall. https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/27775/page/2104 The London Gazette March 17 1905 published the change in colour of lights shown ARLHS ENG-174; Admiralty A5584; NGA 6196.

Lighthouse Location

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