Smalls Lighthouse

Smalls Lighthouse is a stone tower standing on The Smalls rocks, roughly 32 kilometers west of Marloes Peninsula in Pembrokeshire. The structure rises from basalt and dolerite foundations and takes the form of a cylindrical tower with an external gallery.

The current structure was built in 1861 to a design by James Nicholas Douglass and replaced a wooden tower that had stood on oak pillars since 1776. The earlier tower became known after an incident in which two keepers were stranded for months with a corpse on the platform.

Local sailors have long regarded this spot as one of the most treacherous passages in the Bristol Channel, and fishermen still speak of the powerful currents that swirl around the rocks. The name derives from the Welsh word for narrow or slender formation, describing the steep and isolated position.

Access is only possible by boat, and weather conditions dictate whether a safe approach can be made. The beacon emits a white flash three times every 15 seconds and can be seen up to 18 nautical miles away.

The facility was the first in the United Kingdom to install a water flush system for sanitary purposes. This technical innovation seemed odd for a place far out at sea where fresh water was scarce.

Location: Marloes and St Brides

Inception: 1861

Architects: James Nicholas Douglass

Elevation above the sea: 0 m

Height: 41 m

Made from material: stone

GPS coordinates: 51.72122,-5.66985

Latest update: December 13, 2025 17:04