South Bishop Lighthouse

South Bishop Lighthouse is a white cylindrical tower standing on a rocky island in St George's Channel, rising about 44 meters above sea level with a distinctive gallery and lantern chamber. The structure was built to guide vessels navigating through these busy shipping waters near Wales.

Construction began in 1839 when traders from Cardigan port asked for a beacon to guide their ships safely through the Bristol and St George's Channels. The tower was built to help vessels navigate these treacherous waters near the Welsh coast.

Trinity House collaborated with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds to install special perches on the lantern, reducing the number of bird collisions during migrations.

The lighthouse sends three fog signal blasts every 45 seconds with a range of about two nautical miles, while its main beam can be seen from up to sixteen nautical miles away. The tower sits on a rocky island, so operations and maintenance depend heavily on weather conditions.

A helipad was added to the tower in 1971 to serve those who maintain and service the structure. High waves during tides make landing risky and challenging, requiring skilled pilots.

Location: St David's and the Cathedral Close

Inception: 1839

Architects: James Walker

Elevation above the sea: 21.2 m

Height: 11 m

Website: https://trinityhouse.co.uk/lighthouses-and-lightvessels/south-bishop-lighthouse

GPS coordinates: 51.85266,-5.41189

Latest update: December 12, 2025 12:05