Wolf Rock Lighthouse
49° 56' 43" N 5° 48' 32" WWolf Rock Lighthouse is situated roughly nine miles offshore from Land's End and was built between 1861 and 1869.
The magnificent, imposing structure of Wolf Rock lighthouse is a familiar sight for vessels travelling between Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. Seeing the lighthouse from the water in stormy weather is truly awe-inspiring. The fissures in the rock produce a howling sound in gales, hence the name ‘Wolf’ Rock.
The lighthouse is 41 metres (135 ft) in height and is constructed from Cornish granite prepared at Penzance. It took eight years (1861 to 1869) to build due to the treacherous weather conditions that can occur between Cornwall and Scilly. The light can be seen from Land’s End by day and night, and lies about one third of the distance from Land’s End to the Isles of Scilly. It has a range of 23 nautical miles (26 miles) and was automated in 1988.
Wolf Rock lighthouse was the first in the world to be fitted with a helipad.
This stunning photo was captured for us by Scott Tacchi (@keeping_a_lighthouse)
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- Hazard: Strong currents
- Hazard: Deep Water
History of Wolf Rock Lighthouse
Wolf Rock Lighthouse’s origins trace back to the 19th century, when the treacherous Wolf Rock, a hazard to shipping, necessitated the construction of a reliable lighthouse at this location, roughly 9 miles of Land’s End.
The initial attempts to mark the rock began in 1795 with a simple iron beacon. However, the ferocity of the Atlantic storms made the construction of a more robust structure imperative. It wasn’t until 1861 that engineer James Walker, renowned for his work on other notable lighthouses, undertook the daunting task of building a more permanent lighthouse. The project was fraught with difficulties due to the remote location and the harsh weather conditions, which allowed only a few months of work each year during calmer seas.
After eight challenging years, the granite tower of Wolf Rock Lighthouse was completed in 1869. Standing at 41 meters tall, its design was a marvel of Victorian engineering, built to withstand the relentless pounding of the ocean waves. The structure’s durability was ensured by interlocking its granite blocks meticulously, a technique that has stood the test of time.
Originally manned by lighthouse keepers, the lighthouse was automated in 1988, a testament to advances in technology and the changing nature of maritime safety management. Since then, Wolf Rock Lighthouse has continued to operate remotely, its light casting beams up to 23 nautical miles, guiding vessels safely around the hazardous waters off Cornwall’s coast. This enduring edifice not only marks a point of potential peril but also symbolizes human ingenuity and resilience in the face of nature’s challenges.
