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Happisburgh Lighthouse

(Happisburgh, )

History

The existing building was constructed in 1790, originally as one of a pair of candle-powered lights ("High Lighthouse" and "Low Lighthouse") and has been electrified since 1947. The tower is 85 ft (25.9 m) tall, putting the lantern at 134 ft (40.8 m) above sea level. The other lighthouse - the 'low light' which was decommissioned and demolished in 1883 before it could be lost due to coastal erosion - was 20 ft (6.1 m) lower. Together they formed a pair of range lights that marked a safe passage around the southern end of the offshore Haisborough Sands 8 miles (12.9 km) to the safe waters of 'The Would'.

Independence

In 1987 Happisburgh was one of 5 lighthouses declared redundant by Trinity House and deactivation was planned for June 1988. Villagers organized a petition to oppose the closure, and as a result the date was postponed.

A NON-PROFIT HISTORICAL & EDUCATIONAL SOCIETY U.S. Lighthouse Society ~ Lighthouses of the United Kingdom

Under the Merchant Shipping Act of 1894, Trinity House may dispose of a working lighthouse only to an established Lighthouse Authority. On 25 April 1990 the Act received the Royal Assent establishing the Happisburgh Lighthouse Trust as a Local Light Authority, and Happisburgh became the only independently run operational lighthouse in Great Britain.

Specifications

Location Happisburgh, Norfolk,

Coordinates 52°49.17′N 01°32.32′E

Year first lit 1791

Automated 1929

Construction Masonry

Tower shape round

Height 26 m (85 ft)

Focal height 15 m

Current lens Catadioptric Fixed Lens

Range 14 nm (26 km)

Characteristic White group flashing 3 times every 30 seconds

A NON-PROFIT HISTORICAL & EDUCATIONAL SOCIETY U.S. Lighthouse Society ~ Lighthouses of the United Kingdom

Location

Happisburgh Lighthouse Open Days

Visit the oldest working light on the Norfolk Coast and the only independently operated lighthouse in the UK.

The lighthouse is open to the public on occasional Sundays throughout the summer. Private visits can be arranged throughout the year for individuals or groups for a minimum donation of £20. For more information or confirmation on openings please contact ([email protected]).

The Friends of Happisburgh Lighthouse have a page on the Happisburgh Village Website: http://happisburgh.org.uk/lighthouse/

A NON-PROFIT HISTORICAL & EDUCATIONAL SOCIETY U.S. Lighthouse Society ~ Lighthouses of the United Kingdom

Postcode for SatNav: NR12 0PY

Adults £3; children (16 and under) £1. We regret that children under 1 meter in height are not able to climb the 112 steps to the lantern.

2012 openings:

 Sunday 8 April (Easter Sunday) 11 am - 4 pm  Monday 9 April (Easter Monday) 11 am - 4pm  Sunday 6 May 11 am - 4 pm  Monday 7 May (May Bank Holiday) 11 am - 4 pm  Sunday 3 June 11 am - 4 pm  Monday 4 June (Spring Bank Holiday) 11 am - 4 pm  Sunday 24 June (Hill House Beer Festival) 11 am - 4 pm  Sunday 5 August 11 am - 4 pm  Sunday 12 August 11 am - 4 pm  Sunday 19 August 11 am - 4 pm  Sunday 26 August 11 am - 4 pm  Sunday 2 September 11 am - 4 pm

A NON-PROFIT HISTORICAL & EDUCATIONAL SOCIETY