Visitor Centres

Southwold | Suffolk

Southwold Lighthouse stands in the middle of the historic resort of Southwold, in the heart of the beautiful Suffolk Heritage Coast. The Lighthouse provides a waymark for vessels navigating the East Coast and guides vessels making for Southwold Harbour.

Location

Southwold is situated at the end of the A1095, 4 miles from the A12 at Blythburgh or 4.5 miles from Wrentham via the B1127.

Map: click here for streetmap

Parking

Parking is available on public roads close to the Lighthouse. Car parks are also located at the pier and harbour.

Opening Times for 2008

Date Day Time
March 21 Good Friday 14.00-16.00
March 22 & 29 Saturday 11.00-13.00 & 14.00-16.00
March 23, 26 & 28 Easter Sunday, Wednesday & Friday 14.00-16.00
March 24 Easter Monday 11.00-13.00 & 14.00-16.00
March 30 Sunday 11.00-13.00 & 14.00-16.00
April, May & June Wednesday 14.00-16.00
April 4 Friday 14.00-16.00
April 5 & 6 Saturday and Sunday 11.00-13.00 & 14.00-16.00
April 12-13, 19-20 & 26-27 Saturday and Sunday 14.00-16.00
May 3-4, 24-25 Saturday and Sunday 11.00-13.00 & 14.00-16.00
May 5 Bank Holiday Monday 11.00-13.00 & 14.00-16.00
May 10-11 & 17-18 Saturday and Sunday 14.00-16.00
May 26 Bank Holiday Monday 11.00-13.00 & 14.00-16.00
May 30 Friday 14.00-16.00
May 31 Saturday 11.00-13.00 & 14.00-16.00
June 1 Sunday 11.00-13.00 & 14.00-16.00
June 7-8, 15#, 21-22 & 28-29 Saturday and Sunday# 14.00-16.00
July 2, 9 & 16 Wednesday 14.00-16.00
July 5-6, 12-13 & 19-20 Saturday and Sunday 14.00-16.00
July 23-27 Wednesday to Sunday 11.00-13.00 & 14.00-16.00
July 30-31 Wednesday & Thursday 11.00-13.00 & 14.00-16.00
August Wednesday to Sunday. Closed Monday & Tuesday. 11.00-13.00 & 14.00-16.00
August 25 Bank Holiday Monday 11.00-13.00 & 14.00-16.00
September Wednesday & Sunday 14.00-16.00
September 6, 13 & 27 Saturday 14.00-16.00
October* Wednesday 14.00-16.00
October 4-5, 11-12 & 18-19 Saturday and Sunday 14.00-16.00
October 25 & 26 Saturday and Sunday 11.00-13.00 & 14.00-16.00
October 31 Friday 14.00-16.00
November 1 & 2 Saturday and Sunday 11.00-13.00 & 14.00-16.00

Opening subject to weather conditions and Trinity House's operational requirements.
# The lighthouse is closed on Saturday 14 June for operational reasons.
*Closed for maintenance October 20-24 2008.

2008 season information

Information relating to the 2008 season can be downloaded here.

Admission Prices for 2008

Adults £3.00
Children (up to the age of 16) £2.00
Family Ticket (2 adults & up to 3 children) £8.00

Contact Details

Telephone: 01502 722 576

Groups

Please phone in advance for group bookings.

Prompt arrival at the Visitor Centre is essential. If you arrive late we regret we can not guarantee entry and your visit may be cancelled.

Health & Safety

We want everybody to have an enjoyable experience at our visitor centres and believe safety is a key contributor to people leaving with smiles on their faces. We have a few rules we enforce and would be grateful if you could take the time now to familiarise yourself with them.
Health & Safety Guidelines

Specifications

Established 1889
Height of Tower 31 metres
Height of Light above Mean High Water 37 metres
Automation 1938
Electrified 1938
Optic 1st order 920mm focal length, Catadioptric fixed lens
Lamp 3 x 12v 90 Watt Osram Halostar
Character White and red group flashing 4 times every 20 seconds
Intensity 17,100 candela (white light)
Range of Light White main light (215°-001°) 16 nautical miles, red light (204°-215° & 001°-032.5°) 12 nautical miles
Fog Signal Character Sounds once every 60 seconds

Tours of Southwold Lighthouse are organised by Southwold Millennium Foundation under licence from the Corporation of Trinity House.
Southwold Lighthouse

Southwold Lighthouse

Southwold Lighthouse at night
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