Newlyn tidal observatory and part of the south pier

Newlyn Tidal Observatory is a small concrete hut with red and white stripes positioned at the end of South Pier, just behind the lighthouse. Inside, a brass reference bolt marks the measurement point, and a stilling well about 1.6 meters across connects directly to the ocean to capture water level changes.

The observatory was established in the early 1900s to record sea levels systematically across time. Measurements taken here became the official baseline for all elevation measurements throughout mainland Britain.

Generations of researchers have worked at this site to understand how sea levels change, and the place is known among scientists worldwide as a key location for this work. The red and white building at the pier's end remains part of the everyday view for locals who fish or walk along the waterfront.

The site is located at the end of South Pier and can be viewed from outside during normal hours. Plan your visit during low tide to see the structure and surrounding area more clearly.

Electronic tide gauges have been recording data here without interruption for over a century, creating one of the world's longest continuous records of sea level change. This unbroken dataset has become invaluable for scientists studying environmental shifts and coastal patterns.

Location: Penzance

Website: https://ntslf.org/tgi/portinfo?port=Newlyn

GPS coordinates: 50.10303,-5.54276

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:47