Trinity Buoy Wharf Lighthouse (Blackwall, London)

Trinity Buoy Wharf is home to the iconic Experimental Lighthouse- London’s only remaining example- built in 1864. It is sometimes known as Bow Creek Lighthouse. The Lighthouse was never used to aid navigation on the Thames, but to test/experiment and develop maritime lighting equipment for the Trinity House corporation network of lighthouses, lightships and buoys in the early days of electricity. It was the place where the scientist Michael Faraday conducted his optical experiments, and was also a vital resource for the training of lighthouse personnel.

The lights were shone across the Thames to Shooters Hill, where observations were taken and their performance was measured. In the early to mid-twentieth century the lighthouse was also used to train lighthouse keepers.

In December 1988, Trinity House closed the wharf, and the area was acquired by the London Docklands Development Corporation. In 1998, the LDDC set up the Trinity Buoy Wharf Trust with a 125-year lease to hold the land for the people of London. Urban Space Holdings Ltd took control of the site on a long lease. The site has been, and continues to be, developed as "a centre for the arts and cultural activities". Enhancements include studio space (including unusual architecture based on used shipping containers) and exhibition space.

Now in its retirement the Lighthouse has a new life as a iconic visitor attraction. It is also a home to the Longplayer, a one thousand year long musical composition. It began playing at midnight on the 31st of December 1999, and will continue to play without repetition until the last moment of 2999, at which point it will complete its cycle and begin again. Conceived and composed by Jem Finer, it was originally produced as an Artangel commission, and is now in the care of the Longplayer Trust.