Lynmouth Foreland Lighthouse

The light was rotated by clockwork until 1975. Initially, the light was said to have the power of 56,750 candles;later (its oil lamp having been superseded by a more powerful paraffin vapour burner) the intensity of the light was rated at around 190,000 candlepower. Then the light was electrified in 1975, when diesel generators were installed. Mains electricity was brought to the lighthouse in 1989, and it was automated in November 1994 and is now monitored and controlled from Trinity House’s Planning Centre in Harwich, Essex. In 2020 Trinity House submitted a planning application for the removal of the Fresnel lenses (and the more modern emergency light currently bracketed to the gallery railings), and their replacement with a pair of static LED lights (one 'primary', one 'standby') to stand on the old lens pedestal. This is part of their programme to replace all the mercury floated rotating lens systems in their lighthouses with static LEDs. Trinity House will retain the removed lenses as an artefact and seek opportunities for it to go on display off-site. If that does not prove possible, Trinity House shall retain the lenses in safe storage. Planning (Listed Building Consent) Exmoor Nation Park No. 62/11/20/006LB. Extracts included above.