Berry Head Lighthouse

United Kingdom

Berry Head Lighthouse is an active lighthouse, located at the end of Berry Head near Brixham in Devon. It was originally built in 1906, and was then automated and converted to run on acetylene in 1921, and further modernised in 1994 (since when it has run on mains electricity); in 2019 it was converted to LED operation. Berry Head is reputedly the shortest lighthouse in Great Britain, but also one of the highest, being only 5 metres (16 ft) tall, but 58 metres (190 ft) above mean sea level. It was also said to be the deepest because the optic was originally turned by a weight falling down a 45 metres (148 ft) deep shaft (though an electric motor was subsequently used).

Placed within a revolving third-order dioptric optic, the light had an intensity of 4,200 candela and a range of 19 nautical miles (35 km; 22 mi); it gave a double white flash every 15 seconds. In 2019 the optic and lamp were removed and replaced with a pair of self-contained LED lanterns (one serving as the main light, the other as a standby); the old characteristic was retained. The installation was the first application by Trinity House of its so-called 'simple lighthouse scheme', intended to be extended to all other shore-based mains-powered lighthouses, except those with more complex display requirements (e.g. provision of a sector light).

Semaphore signalling apparatus was on Berry Head before 1875 and acted as the Lloyds' Signal Station for Torbay.

Manufacture Date 1905
Lighthouse Construction 1906
Country United Kingdom
Commissioning Body Trinity House
Lens Order 3rd order
Lens Type Revolving
Status publish
Light Character Fl (2) W 15s
Lighthouse Markings 4.5 m (15 ft) round cylindrical lantern attached to a 1-story square equipment building. Buildings painted white. Coast Guard and signal stations are nearby.
Management Body Ports Authority Trinity House
Preserver Trinity House
Coastal Erosion Vulnerability
Open Status (Site) Open
Open Status (Tower) Closed
Coordinates 50.3995637848,-3.4834647693
Other ARLHS ENG-007; Admiralty A0244; NGA 0344.

Lighthouse Location

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