West Blockhouse Point Beacons

West Blockhouse Point Beacons

Location	West Blockhouse Point, Pembrokeshire, United Kingdom
Coordinates	51°41′18″N 5°09′33″W
Tower
Constructed	1957
Construction	three reinforced octagonal concrete towers with cantilevered octagonal platform
Automated	1957
Height	14 m (46 ft)
Operator	Milford Haven Port Authority
West light
Height	35 ft (11 m)
Focal height	53 m (174 ft)
Range	12 nmi (22 km; 14 mi)
Characteristic	F R
Centre light
Height	13.5 m (44 ft)
Focal height	54 m (177 ft)
Range	13 nmi (24 km; 15 mi)
Characteristic	F W
East light
Height	49 ft (15 m)
Focal height	53 m (174 ft)
Range	12 nmi (22 km; 14 mi)
Characteristic	F R

The West Blockhouse Point Beacons are three leading light beacons, they perform the same function as a lighthouse and are situated on the promontory to the west side of the entrance to Milford Haven, and lie about a mile north-east of St. Ann's Head in Pembrokeshire, Wales.^[1][2] They consist of three octagonal reinforced-concrete towers of 30 feet (9.1 m), 37 feet (11 m) and 46 feet (14 m) in height, with sides 1.5 feet (0.46 m) in width,^[1] surmounted by cantilevered octagonal concrete platforms on which stand sealed-beam lights. The lights are accessed by ladders which extend up the columns through an opening in the platform. Each column carries a steel daymark painted black and white.^[1]

Close up view of two of the beacons

There is also a leading light beacon on the cliff below West Blockhouse Fort, set up by Trinity House engineers in 1957. This has a second-hand round metal lantern (ex Rame Head) which is 2 feet 7 inches (0.79 m) in diameter, supported on a bolted iron pedestal, standing on a concrete platform cantilevered from the cliffs and reached by a steeply descending flight of steps.^[1]

The beacons are operated by the Milford Haven Conservancy Board and are approached via Dale then the road to St Ann's Head, turning left into Maryborough Farm Road, and then taking a right turn.^[3]

See also

• List of lighthouses in Wales

References

1. Hague, D. B., Lighthouses of Wales, Their Architecture and Archaeology, edited by Hughes, S., Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales, 1994, ISBN 1-871184-08-8
2. Rowlett, Russ. "Lighthouses of Wales". The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Retrieved 4 June 2016.
3. Denton, A., & Leach, N., Lighthouses of Wales, Landmark Publishing Ltd., 2008, ISBN 978-1-84306-459-6