Surrounded by barren slopes and waves crashing against the foot of the headland, South Stack Lighthouse evokes an edge-of-the-world feeling. This historic monument sits perched on a craggy promontory off the coast of Holy Island. Visit the lighthouse to get a glimpse inside its engine room, enjoy spectacular panoramas and view breeding seabirds.
South Stack Lighthouse opened in 1809 to protect passing ships on the hazardous route between Anglesey and Dublin. The light from its 92-foot (28-meter) tower has a range of 24 nautical miles (44 kilometers). See its likeness on an album cover for the band Roxy Music that Jerry Hall, the former wife of Mick Jagger, brought to popular culture, posing on the lighthouse rocks.
The journey to the lighthouse is a true adventure, starting with a hike along a windswept and slippery 400-step pathway leading down from Holy Island.
Step inside the lighthouse to see the machinery used to operate the beacon. Keepers manned the lighthouse until 1984, after which it became remotely monitored. Find the exhibit that explains the landmark’s 200-year-old history. Climb the spiral staircase to the top of the tower and marvel at the views from the open-air platform.
Outside, a path takes you to a viewing area at the edge of the headland. From here and from the tower you can appreciate a coastline of rugged cliffs and see ships sail around the bay. Bring binoculars to look for varied birdlife, including puffins, razorbills and rarely seen choughs.
The lighthouse is about a 15-minute drive from Holyhead. Free parking is available at the ticket office, located a 5-minute walk from the stepped path. Take the public buses which travel several times a day between Holyhead and the ticket office.
South Stack Lighthouse is open from late March until September and has an admission fee. Access may be restricted during extreme weather conditions. Remember to purchase your tickets before ascending the footpath.
