Berry Head Lighthouse is the shortest in Britain at 5 metres high but has an elevation of 58 metres from the clifftop. The lighthouse stands on a limestone headland overlooking Torbay and Brixham Roads, which provides a sheltered anchorage for vessels.
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The lighthouse was built in 1906 under the direction of Thomas Matthews.
The 15-foot-high lighthouse was converted to automatic operation in 1921 following the installation of acetylene gas. It was further modernised in 1994 when mains electricity was finally installed.
The tower is 190 feet above high water, which means it has enough elevation and does not need any further height. Clockwork turns a third-order optic, and the weights descend into the rock shaft 45 metres down. A small motor later replaces this.
In September 2019 further modernisation work took place when an LED lamp replaced the third-order optic. The range was altered from 19 to 18 miles and the emergency light on the roof was also removed.
Berry Head Lighthouse is located just beyond the coastguard station, and there is also a radio beacon used for air traffic control.
In October 1942 both the lighthouse and coastguard station was attacked by German planes. Fortunately, no major damage was caused.
Before 1875, a semaphore signal station was located on Berry Head acting as a Lloyds signal station for Torbay.
A military hospital was built to support the three Napoleonic forts on Berry Head. Later, it became home to poet and hymnist Henry Francis Lyte. In 1949, it was turned into the Berry Head Hotel.
Access to the lighthouse is via Berry Head Country Park. Berry Head is a National Nature Reserve and also a Site of Special Scientific Interest, and close to the lighthouse is a Napoleonic Fort. There are coastal walks and a visitor centre and cafe nearby.
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