Happisburgh Lighthouse

Happisburgh Lighthouse is the UK’s only independently operated working lighthouse, established in 1791.

A terrible storm in 1789 brought home the need for a lighthouse between Cromer and Winterton. This storm caused the loss of over 70 ships and 600 sailors off the Norfolk coast.

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Originally, two lighthouses were built, the present tower and another lower lighthouse on the cliff edge. By keeping the lights in line, one above the other, vessels were guided clear of the southern end of the Haisborough Sands.

The two lighthouses, showing fixed lights, were lit for the first time on the evening of January 1st 1791. The lights worked in conjunction with the Newarp Lightship to guide vessels through the outlying sandbanks. In 1832, the Haisborough Sands were further marked by the Haisbro Lightship at the northern extremity of the Sands.

 A lantern was installed at each tower in 1868 to house a first-order optic. Trinity House Engineer James Douglass designed the helically framed lantern. Diagonal frames cross each other at a constant angle, so there are no blind spots behind the lantern framework.

In 1872 Cannel gas was introduced on an experimental basis in the High Light. The oil lamps were retained in the Low Light for comparison. As the lighthouse was not sufficiently close to any mains gas supply, the gas was manufactured within the grounds of the High Light. Gas was produced in five coal-fired retorts and stored in two small gas holders standing nearby. The gas lighting created a better quality of light, but the practice was not instigated at other lights, probably due to cost.

The Low Light was discontinued in 1883 when threatened by cliff erosion and demolished shortly after. The optic from the Low Light was later reused at Southwold Lighthouse in Suffolk in 1890. Following the discontinuation of the Low Light, three broad red bands were painted onto the tower. The light character was changed to occulting, the light being exhibited for 25 seconds, followed by a 5-second eclipse. The character was achieved by lowering a clockwork hood to obscure the lamp for 5 seconds every half minute.

A paraffin vapour burner replaced the coal gas in 1904. This was replaced in turn by Acetylene in 1929, making it possible to dispense with the need for resident keepers. The lighthouse was now classed as “unwatched”, though a local attendant was on hand should anything go wrong. The two adjoining cottages were subsequently sold and became private dwellings.

The light character was also altered —the lighthouse now exhibiting three flashes every 30 seconds. Acetylene was retained as the emergency light source once electricity was installed in 1947.

Over 70 years after being demolished, in 1958, the foundations of the former Low Light fell onto the beach due to cliff erosion. Walking along the beach today, it is still possible to see a few remnants at low water.

In 1988 the lighthouse was due to be decommissioned by Trinity House, following a review of navigation aids around the coast. The Friends of Happisburgh Lighthouse were formed to lobby for retention of the light. After a concerted campaign, the only way for the light to continue was for a local Trust to to take on responsibility for the lighthouse. Two years later, following an Act of Parliament, the Happisburgh Lighthouse Trust was established to maintain and operate the light. Happisburgh Lighthouse became the first independently operated lighthouse in the UK since 1844.

Following the decommissioning of the Low Light, the optic was transferred for re-use at Southwold Lighthouse, in Suffolk in 1890.

In July 1990 to mark the handover, Her Majesty The Queen Mother visited the lighthouse. The following month the lighthouse was featured in the BBC Programme Challenge Anneka, during which it was repainted. A new lighting and back up battery system was also installed.

In 2009, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal became Patron of the Friends of Happisburgh Lighthouse. On 12th May 2010, she visited the lighthouse, marking 20 years since the establishment of the Happisburgh Lighthouse Trust.

In 2012, the top section of the optic at Southwold was removed to make way for a new LED optic to compensate for the decommissioning of Orfordness Lighthouse.  Part of the removed optic was relocated back to Happisburgh, where it is now on display on the ground floor of the lighthouse.

 The lighthouse is open to visitors on weekends during the summer, and private visits are also available by appointment.