Start Point Lighthouse, Maritime lighthouse in Stokenham, England
Description
Start Point Lighthouse is a granite tower standing above the coastal point near Stokenham and marks the entrance to the River Dart with a powerful beam visible far out to sea. The complex includes several buildings and structures that support the main light tower and its operation.
History
The structure was designed and built in 1836 and received a powerful fog signal system in 1876 to aid navigation in poor visibility. These improvements made it a vital landmark for ships navigating these challenging coastal waters.
Culture
The lighthouse embodies maritime safety traditions along the coast and shows how seafarers navigated these waters over time. You can see the different lighting systems that were added and improved across the decades.
Practical
The site is reachable by a coastal path and offers parking and restroom facilities near the entrance for visitors. Guided tours are available to explore the tower and surrounding buildings during daylight hours.
Did you know?
Hugh McIntosh supervised the lighthouse construction while being blind, an uncommon achievement in maritime engineering of the 1800s. His work demonstrates how skilled professionals solved complex problems regardless of personal circumstances.
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide. Discover all places nearby (Stokenham).
Historic lighthouses around the world tell the story of the way ships have been guided for hundreds of years. From the rocky coast of Norway to the cliffs of the Pacific, these towers have helped sailors since ancient times. The Tower of Hercules in Spain has been shining over the sea since the...
Lighthouses tell the history of sailing with their shapes and building styles. Some go back to Roman times, like the Tower of Hercules in Galicia, a structure from the second century still working today. Others are from the Middle Ages, such as the Hook Lighthouse in Ireland, with its...
Slapton Castle
7.5 km
Church of St.Andrew
3.5 km
Church of St Sylvester
4.9 km
Church of St Michael
6.1 km
Church of St Nicholas And St Cyriac
6.2 km
Ham Stone
6.8 km
Mattiscombe Sands
1.3 km
Start Bay Inn
5.1 km
Tradesmans Arms Inn
6.2 km
Slapton Sands
7.1 km
The Kings Arms
3.3 km
Gara Rock beach
7.5 km
Hallsands Beach
2.2 km
Well Cottage
6.2 km
Stokenham War Memorial
6.1 km
Lannacombe Beach
2.7 km
The Old Library And Whitmore Cottage
6.2 km
1 and 2, Sands Road
7.8 km
Vale Cottages
7.8 km
Orchard Cottage
7.8 km
Well House Immediately North West Of Start Point Lighthouse
21 m
Piggery North North East Of Start Point Lighthouse
47 m
K6 Telephone Kiosk At Slapton Village Centre
7.8 km
Sleepy Thatch, Sunny Thatch, Vine Cottage And No. 4 Vine Cottage
4.9 km
Milestone, just N of Holbrook Terrace jct
6.3 km
Milestone, Torcross; 200m N of car park with tank at Torcross
5.5 km
Coaxial field system and semaphore station at Signal House Point
6.1 km
Milestone, 50m W of Stokelly Farm Shop turn, before road descends to Torcross
5.7 kmDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes