Watchet Harbour Lighthouse

The Watchet Harbour Lighthouse is located on Esplanade Lane in the town of Watchet, Somerset, England.

History

• The original settlement may have been at the Iron Age fort, Daw's Castle. It then moved to the mouth of the river and a small harbour developed.
• After the Saxon conquest of the area the town developed, becoming known as Weced or Waeced, and was attacked by Vikings in the 10th century.
• Trade using the harbour gradually grew, despite damage during several severe storms, with import and exports of goods including those from Wansbrough Paper Mill until the 19th century when it increased with the export of iron ore, brought from the Brendon Hills via the West Somerset Mineral Railway, mainly to Newport for onward transportation to the Ebbw Vale Steelworks.
• The iron ore trade reduced, finally ceasing in the early 20th century. The port continued a smaller commercial trade until 2000 when it was converted into a marina.
• In 2016, Watchet joined the rest of West Somerset in receiving 'Opportunity Area' status.

Architecture

The Watchet Harbour Lighthouse is a man-made structure built as a lighthouse. It has a building type and is classified as a light_minor.

• The lighthouse's characteristics include a green colour, a focal height of 9 metres, and a range of 9 nautical miles.
• The light emits a sequence of two flashes every 3 seconds.

Location

The Watchet Harbour Lighthouse is located at Esplanade Lane in the town of Watchet, Somerset, England.

• Lies on the edge of Exmoor National Park and on the shore of Bridgwater Bay, part of the Bristol Channel.

Current Status

The Watchet Harbour Lighthouse is currently an active aid to navigation. However, its status as a functioning lighthouse is not specified in the provided data.

Visiting Information

The Watchet Harbour Lighthouse is located on Esplanade Lane in Watchet, Somerset. The town of Watchet has several attractions and amenities for visitors, including East Quay Watchet, a purpose-built art gallery and arts centre that opened in 2021.

• Visitors to the area can explore the historic church dedicated to Saint Decuman, visit the Brendon Hills, or enjoy the scenic views of Exmoor National Park.

Heritage Status

The Watchet Harbour Lighthouse is classified as a light_minor. However, its heritage status and any protected designation are not specified in the provided data.

Notable Historical Events

• Watchet has a rich history dating back to the Iron Age fort, Daw's Castle. The town was attacked by Vikings in the 10th century and played an important role in the iron ore trade until the early 20th century.