DS is desperate to visit a Lighthouse? Anyone know of one you're allowed to look round?

[katierocket]

preferably devon/dorset way.

Not sure about this. I used to visit one in Cornwall but it now appears closed to the public, and I did here recently that all light houses around Britain are now automated. Would love to be wrong though. It was fascinating going round the one I used to know.

8yos can go up Happisburgh Lighthouse (in Norfolk) -- obviously not convenient for you, but might help somebody.

You can go up Smeatons tower on Plymouth Hoe.
smeatons tower

Also gives you link for other lighthouses.

hmm, we're going to Devon and I was hoping there would be one down that way. DS is fascinated by them at the mo.

that looks good but we're north devon so probably too far.

You can go up the one at Start point at half terms, or you used to be able to.

more here but can't find opening times, google it though, go to read story to ds!

Isn't there a light house at Hartland Point in North Devon? I may have even been round that one too once!

yes lonelymum -it's this one I think
here but I think it's not open to the public.

Yup, that looks familiar. I would have visited it pre automation.

Smeaton's Tower. I'll meet you there Needtocheckopeningtimesthough.Haven'tbeen upforyearsbutIrememberrailings-whatthefhashappenedtomyspacebar?

ithinkyouhavetostayinthecottagesforwww'sone.

No you don't, we went when I lived in Dartmouth, you had to pay but not be staying. That was about 2.5 years ago though.

ah, here you go! There is a fee but it is definitely open! Is he tall enough though?, do check

Jimjams, have you checked for crumbs under the the space bar? that was the problem when one of my keys got stuck a few months back.

Children get a sticker (or used to) at the top too.

Anvil Point, Dorset
The Lizard, Cornwall
Pendeen, Cornwall
Portland Bill, Dorset
Start Point, S Devon

God Janh, I bow to your superior googling and linking skills, you are The Queen of Finding Things

quick change of keyboard- this one is weird! No crumbs - it;'s pressing down just not clicking on. Grrr..

Um yes as I was saying- Smeaton's tower is good, but the railings at the top kind of lean out and it's very scary. Very windy up the top as well. You can go in the light bit IIRC.

Thank you, www (nice to be good at something!!!)

These look fantastic, I would love to visit one of them. Last lighthouse we got close to was on Mull of Kintyre in August 1993 when DS2 was a tiny baby, and the wind was so strong you had to lean into it or fall over backwards!

(We left him in the car btw )

you can even stay in some of these places!

You can go up Portland Bill Lighthouse, not sure how old your DS is but mine could not have managed it last year (he was 2.5 then) as there is a ladder to climb up and loads of steps.