The Point of Ayr Lighthouse, also known as the Talacre Lighthouse,
has a rich and varied history on the north coast of Wales.
Visit Date: April 2024
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| The Point of Ayr Lighthouse |
The lighthouse was constructed in 1776, serving an essential role in maritime navigation.
Its construction was authorized by the Chester Lighthouse Act of 1776, legislation aimed at improving safety for vessels entering and leaving the River Dee.
A trust comprising the Mayor, Recorder, and Aldermen of Chester oversaw the construction process. This trust was responsible for ensuring the lighthouse met the necessary specifications for both functionality and aesthetic appeal.
The total cost of building the lighthouse was £349 and 8 shillings and a penny, a significant investment at the time, reflecting the community's commitment to enhancing maritime safety and trade in the region.
The primary objective was to provide warning signals to vessels navigating between the Dee and Mersey Estuary, as well as to safeguard maritime operations along the Welsh coastline. This initiative gained particular significance following the catastrophic loss of two Dublin ferries in 1775, which resulted in the tragic demise of over 200 individuals and considerable damage to cargo.
The lighthouse served as a vital navigational aid, functioning as a directional landfall light with its beam illuminating the northern and western approaches to the Dee estuary. This strategic positioning was essential to alert vessels to the potentially hazardous conditions that characterized the entrance. However, it is important to note that the lighthouse does not feature a light specifically designed to assist mariners as they depart from the estuary, which could pose challenges for navigation in that direction.
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| The Point of Ayr Lighthouse |
The tower was designed based on the Liverpool Docks Board light situated at Hoylake. Its base is inscribed with the initials "H.T.," representing Henry Turner, a prominent local architect and builder.
In 1819, Trinity House assumed ownership from the Point of Ayr Lighthouse Trustees. Since then, Trinity House has served as the authoritative body responsible for lighthouses in Wales and England.
In around 1820, significant alterations were made to the lighthouse structure, including the installation of the current lantern. This reconstruction may have been prompted by a partial structural collapse.
The internal stair was rebuilt circa 1840.
Samuel Brooks, a notable early convert to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS/Mormon Church), served as the lighthouse keeper from 1825 to 1856. During his lengthy tenure, he resided in one of the quaint cottages designated for lighthouse keepers, which offered him a unique vantage point over the turbulent waters. In addition to Brooks, another significant figure in this early community, John Parry Jr., utilized his masonry skills at the lighthouse in 1848, contributing to its architectural integrity and enduring presence along the coastline.
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| The Point of Ayr Lighthouse |
The lighthouse was decommissioned in 1844 and replaced by a "pile light," a similar structure to the Burnham-on-Sea low lighthouse.
The 1844 lighthouse has since vanished.
The original lighthouse was replaced by a lightship moored in the estuary in 1883. This change came after a court allegation in 1882 claimed that the lighthouse was situated too far inland, following an incident where a steamship ran aground. Although the lighthouse was officially decommissioned in 1844, some sources suggest it was actually taken out of service in 1883 or 1884.
The tower is a tapered cylindrical brick structure featuring a balcony and a lantern. It was measured to be 16 meters (52 feet) high in 1776, with a base diameter of 7.8 meters (25.75 feet) and a top diameter of 4.9 meters (16 feet). Some sources indicate that it may actually be 18 meters (59 feet) tall or even 60 feet.
The light is positioned 53 feet above high water and can be seen from 9 miles away in clear weather. It displays a white light from E ¾ W to SE, a red light between SE and W by N ¼ N, and then white light again from N by W. A bell is rung during foggy conditions.
Notably, the lighthouse retains one of the earliest lanterns in Wales. The original structure has a slight lean but has withstood numerous storms. In 2007, it sustained damage from storms, which dislocated the metal steps and created a hole in the base. The cost of repairs was covered by the owners of a nearby caravan park.
The lighthouse was restored in the 1990s.
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| The Point of Ayr Lighthouse |
The lighthouse is now privately owned. It was listed for sale in 2011 for £100,000 and was sold in April 2012 for £90,000 to a private couple.
As a Grade II listed building, it holds the distinction of being the oldest lighthouse in Wales.
The lighthouse is often said to be haunted by a ghost named Raymond, who was the last lighthouse keeper and reportedly died of a fever while on duty. Some visitors claim to have seen a man in old-fashioned clothing standing atop the lighthouse, gazing out to sea during night visits.
In honor of the reported ghost, the then-owner, James McAllister, installed a seven-foot stainless steel sculpture of a 'lighthouse keeper' created by local artist Angela Smith on the balcony between 2009 and 2012. However, the planning permission for the sculpture expired, and it was subsequently relocated.
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| The Point of Ayr Lighthouse |
It is a popular tourist attraction and a dog-friendly destination, particularly known for sunset walks that provide stunning views of the Irish Sea and the Dee Estuary. The surrounding dunes are designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and are part of a nature reserve managed by the RSPB.
Footer:Visit Information: -
Google Reference: -
53.357046807776754, -3.32238377723201
What Three Words reference: -
///dignify.conducted.overdrive
OS Details: -
Grid Ref: SJ 12095 85271 Elevation 9 ft
Additional information.
Visiting is easy and there is a car park at the site (53.35321642414517, -3.319730302110794).
Access is easy from here. There are no facilities at this car park but an alternative car park close by (53.35196453461079, -3.3168028637702056) has facilities.
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