This is a fully operational lighthouse and is provided to ensure the safety of mariners and for the protection of shipping. It is private property owned and operated by the Corporation of Trinity House and forms part of a network of nearly 600 visual, audible, electronic, fixed and floating aids to navigation. The service provided by Trinity House is financed from 'Light Dues' levied on commercial vessels calling at ports in the British Isles, based on the net registered tonnage of the vessel.
This lighthouse is open to the public however Trinity House reserves the right to close this facility at any time and without notice for operational reasons.
As lighthouses are part of this country’s heritage, many are listed buildings and cannot be structurally altered to adhere to modern building safety standards. In some cases, due to over a hundred years of Lighthouse Keepers footsteps, some stone floors and stairs may be worn and uneven, so please take care. Due to other structural features, small children are also of particular risk and as such they are only permitted entry if they are at least 1.1 metres in height and capable of climbing up and coming down steep stairs unaided.
Children and babies must not be carried under any circumstances. We apologise for any disappointment or inconvenience this might cause but it is in the genuine interest of you and your family’s safety.
Automatic fog warning signals are used at some locations and these are signposted accordingly. Fog signals may start without warning and are very loud. Although they may startle, they will not damage your hearing.
There may be operational RADAR and electronic aids to navigation on or around this lighthouse. They have been assessed and are not a risk to health. If you have a cardiac pacemaker, please mention this to the guide and avoid going within 2 metres of any rotating RADAR. Although rare, some frequencies might interfere with the efficiency of your pacemaker.
Please do not tamper with any controls or drop litter and please report any spillages to your guide.
Please take great care when visiting our lighthouse and adhere to the safety rules printed on the reverse of this notice, or as posted, and follow any safety instructions given to you by the guides. Thank you for your anticipated co-operation and please enjoy your visit.
Jess Willan
Head of Safety & Environment
Trinity House
The Quay
Harwich
Essex
CO12 3JW
Health & Safety Rules
- Children are very welcome, but they must be at least 1.1 metres in height and physically capable of ascending and descending the staircases by themselves unaided.
- Under no circumstances can children or babies be carried up or down the staircases, (this includes the use of baby carriers, papooses, etc.)
- In many cases lighthouses are over a century old and some stone floors and stairs may be worn and uneven in places. They are regularly tested to ensure they are non-slip but please take great care.
- Some staircases are also very steep and must be descended facing the stair. The Tour Guide will inform you if this is necessary.
- Sensible footwear must be worn if you wish to ascend the lighthouse tower. Open toe sandals without heel straps, flip- flops, high-heeled footwear and bare or stocking feet are not permitted.
- Trinity House regrets that due to the historic design of the building, these premises are not suitable for some physically less able people.
- Anyone suffering from vertigo, heart or respiratory conditions is advised not to undertake the tour. If you have a cardiac pace maker, tell the Tour Guide and do not go within two metres of any operational RADAR.
- The Tour Guide will give further advice on the above conditions, but has absolute discretion in preventing access if it is felt that health and safety regulations, or the safety of the visitor, or other members of the public will be compromised.