Lighthouse on the horizon with the sun setting behind. Rocks and white water in the foreground.
The Grade II listed Godrevy Lighthouse in St Ives Bay, Cornwall. © M. Coleman Read List entry 1327597
The Grade II listed Godrevy Lighthouse in St Ives Bay, Cornwall. © M. Coleman Read List entry 1327597

Listed Lighthouses in England

Since receding sheets of the last Ice Age shaped the British Isles about 13,000 years ago – severing our physical link with the continent as we became an island – England's story has been intrinsically linked to the sea, with marine exploration determining the course of much of our history.

England's surrounding oceans have healed, soothed and fed us for generations. The salt in the air, the cool breeze from the sea, and the crash of a wave are the sights, sounds and feelings that continue to affect us. The protection of our maritime heritage helps keep the story of our history alive.

The design and use of lighthouses have changed over nearly 2,000 years. Here are over 100 lighthouses that are either listed buildings or scheduled monuments, including everything from a Roman pharos and medieval beacons to the now classic red-and-white striped structures.

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Get involved

Not all of our lighthouses have photos. The Missing Pieces Project lets you add images or comments to entries on the National Heritage List for England. Could you provide the missing pieces for those last few lighthouses without a complete story?

Gallery

Please click on the gallery images to enlarge.

Blue sky with grey clouds with a red and white lighthouse and cottage in the centre of the image and grass in the foreground Image taken at sunset, lighthouse appearing to the right. Sea appears in foreground. Sun setting in background. Pier, starting in the foreground, running through the middle of the image with lighthouse positioned at the end. Lighthouse on the horizon with the sun setting behind. Rocks and white water in the foreground. White water in the foreground, a lighthouse in front of a cliff in background Grass in foreground in red and white lighthouse in background Iron framed lighthouse to the left and in the foreground with the sea in the background Sea in the foreground. Long pier from left leading to red and white striped lighthouse on the right Black and white lighthouse in the background, long grass leading to the sea in the foreground

Also of interest

Missing Pieces Project
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RNLI: 200 Years of Saving Lives at Sea