Flat Holm Lighthouse
9VGJ+7G Penarth, UK
Name and Location
The Flat Holm Lighthouse is situated on Flat Holm Island in the Bristol Channel. The nearest town or port is Penarth/Cardiff, Vale of Glamorgan, Wales, United Kingdom. The address for the lighthouse is 9VGJ+7G Penarth, UK.
2. Construction and History
The Flat Holm Lighthouse was built in 1737 by Trinity House, the General Lighthouse Authority for England, Wales, the Channel Islands, and Gibraltar. Its purpose was to guide shipping through the central Bristol Channel, one of the busiest waterways in Britain during the 18th century.
3. Architecture and Materials
The tower is a cylindrical masonry structure painted white, standing at a height of 30 meters. The focal plane is located 50 meters above high water. The lantern and gallery are situated at the summit, with an internal spiral staircase.
4. Light and Navigation
The light characteristic is a group of three flashes every 10 seconds (Fl (3) 10s). The light colours and ranges vary by sector:
- * Sector 1: red, 12 nautical miles
- * Sector 2: white, 15 nautical miles
- * Sector 3: red, 12 nautical miles
- * Sector 4: white, 15 nautical miles
5. Accessibility and Visiting
The island is reachable by private or chartered boat only. Day-trip landings are possible, but the tower interior is not open to casual visitors. Visitors must make arrangements with Trinity House or a licensed tour operator.
6. Notable Views and Landscape
Flat Holm Island is known for its wildlife and historic buildings. The lighthouse itself is a landmark on aerial and maritime charts.
8. Technical and Operational Details
The lighthouse is automated and currently unmanned. It remains an active aid to navigation in the Bristol Channel.
9. Further Information
For more information, visit Trinity House's website or explore further reading references provided below:
- * Trinity House: https://www.trinityhouse.co.uk/lighthouses/lighthouse_list/flatholm.html
- * US NGA Pub. 114 (World Aids to Navigation)
- * OpenStreetMap feature: way/138650440
- * "Flat Holm Lighthouse," Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flat_Holm_Lighthouse
Details
| Name | Flat Holm Lighthouse |
|---|---|
| City | Penarth / Cardiff, Vale of Glamorgan, Wales |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Coordinates | 51.3756605, -3.118694 |
| Website | https://www.trinityhouse.co.uk/lighthouses/lighthouse_list/flatholm.html |
| Year of construction | 1737 |
| Historic significance | guiding shipping through the central Bristol Channel in the 18th century |
| Architect | Trinity House |
| Construction material | "masonry" |
| Focal height | 50 |
| Tower height | 30 |
| Access description | by private or chartered boat only; day-trip landings possible but the tower interior is not open to casual visitors |
| Accessible | false |
| Guided tours | true |
| Nearby attractions | ["Barbecue Point and historic lifeboat station on Flat Holm","Cosmeston Lakes Country Park (on mainland, near Penarth)","Cardiff Bay Visitor Centre and Wales Millennium Centre"] |
| AIS Radar | false |
| Light characteristic | "Fl (3) 10s" |
| Light range | {"sector1":{"colour":"red","range":12},"sector2":{"colour":"white","range":15},"sector3":{"colour":"red","range":12},"sector4":{"colour":"white","range":15}} |
| Automated | true |