Watchet Harbour Lighthouse, Somerset

Watchet Lighthouse is a red hexagonal lighthouse at the entrance to the small harbour on the Somerset coast, close to Exmoor National Park.

History of Watchet

Watchet has been in existence for over 1000 years, and for much of this time there has been a harbour and docks. In Anglo-Saxon times it was known to Viking raiders and by the 16th Century, a jetty had been built although this met its end in a storm in 1659.  

As the village became more important in the 17th Century stronger structures were built to help with the export of wool and kelp.  This trade continued as well as the export of iron ore to the steelworks in Ebbw Vale across the Bristol Channel.  

Two railways terminated at the harbour and to accommodate this trade a stone breakwater was built in the 1860’s.  In 1862 the unique little lighthouse was built on the end of the west breakwater.  

The harbour was large enough to manage 500 tonne ships and trade continued until the mid-1960’s when the move from coal to oil in industry changed the way trade was carried out. In 1999 the harbour was decommissioned for commercial use as it couldn’t compete with the larger more commercial ports further up the Bristol Channel.

In 2001 the new Watchet Marina was opened. This is within the safety of the old harbour walls and provides facilities for visiting yachts and fishing boats.

The railway lines that terminated in the town still run with the West Somerset Railway running between Bishops Lydeard near Taunton and the coastal resort town of Minehead. Watchet is the last coastal station before the line heads inland towards Taunton.

Watchet Lighthouse

The red hexagonal lighthouse was built by Hennet, Spink and Else who were based in nearby Bridgwater to a design by James Abernethy.  

It cost a grand total of £75.  The oil lamp was supplied by Messrs Stevens & Sons of London.  This cost more than the tower at £90. The lamp is white with a green lens.

On top of the 6.5-metre tower and lamp is an ornate weather vane.

In 1900 there was a storm which damaged the harbour and the light was taken over by Watchet Harbour Authority.  The lighthouse was re-erected on the new breakwater in 1905.  

At this time the lamp was upgraded so that it gave an occulting green light every three seconds which can be seen nine miles out into the Bristol Channel.  

This light doesn’t flash like a traditional lighthouse and marks the starboard (right) entrance to the harbour.

Unlike other lighthouses in England, this lighthouse isn’t owned or maintained by Trinity House. The Watchet Harbour Authority looks after this small lighthouse.