Walney Lighthouse

The Walney Lighthouse is situated on Walney Island in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, England, at an address of LA14 3YQ.

The lighthouse is accessible by road via the A595, which runs along the western coast of Walney Island.

History

Completed in 1804, the Walney Lighthouse was constructed to replace a smaller wooden lighthouse that was built in 1790 by the Lancaster Quay Commissioners.

The original structure predated Barrow and its port. Following a fire in 1803, the current building was swiftly erected, designed by engineer E. Dawson.

Architecture

The Walney Lighthouse is a stone structure with attached cottages, predating Barrow and its port.

The lighthouse's optical system consists of a clockwork-driven rotating array of four Argand lamps backed by parabolic reflectors, which gave a white flash once a minute.

Light Characteristics

The Walney Lighthouse emits a white flash once every fifteen seconds, with a range of 23 miles.

The light is visible from an altitude of 21 meters and has a sequence of Fl (first order) at a height of 24 meters.

Current Status

The lighthouse was automated in 2003, marking the last time it was manned in England.

It also marked the end of its use of a catoptric apparatus; modern electric light units replaced the reflectors that year.

Heritage Status

The Walney Lighthouse is Grade II* listed, recognizing its historical significance as the southernmost man-made structure in Cumbria.

Notable Historical Events

• None reported.