Get the MarineRadar appSatellite AISSatellite live trackingTrack any shipLive alerts112,000+ ships trackedDownload free

Gwennap Head Range Beacons Lighthouse

Fl White 15s🇬🇧GBOperational

Location & Light Range

About Gwennap Head Range Beacons Lighthouse

This stone lighthouse, first lit in 1869, is located on a bare rock about 6.5 kilometers southwest of Land's End. The cylindrical tower, standing 4 meters tall and built from stone, has a black exterior with a white horizontal band. Its light emits a white flash every 15 seconds. The construction project took eight years to complete under challenging conditions. In 1972, a helipad was added above the lantern, a world-first for lighthouses. The focal height of the light is 34 meters, with a geographic range of 16 nautical miles.

Why it matters: This lighthouse marks a dangerous bare rock southwest of Land's End, a critical point for ships in the English Channel's busy lanes. The helipad addition in 1972 was the first of its kind globally, improving access for this remote aid.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl White 15s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Interval
15s
Raw Code
Fl W 15s
Focal Height
34m
Geographic Range
16NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1821
First Lit
1869

Significant events: took 8 years to build under very severe conditions, helipad above the lantern (first of its kind in the world) was added in 1972

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Mousehole(6.0 km)
Admiralty No.
A0030
NGA No.
0028
ARLHS No.
ENG-170

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
4m
Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
black with a white horizontal band
Material
stone

Structure: round conical stone daybeacons, 67 m (220 ft) apart

Location

Country
🇬🇧United Kingdom
Region
England
Sea Region
Located on a bare rock about 6.5 km (4 mi) southwest of Land's End.
Latitude
50.0370°
Longitude
-5.6766°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
Live tracking · 50,000+ mariners

Find Gwennap Head Range Beacons Lighthouse on the live nautical map

Plan voyages near United Kingdom, see nearby vessels in real time, and explore 14,900+ navigation aids in the app.

Nautical mapNearby vesselsVoyage planning
Get the App

Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Gwennap Head Range Beacons Lighthouse at night?+
Gwennap Head Range Beacons displays the characteristic Fl White 15s. Each lighthouse has a unique flash pattern published in the List of Lights, allowing mariners to positively identify it and distinguish it from other navigation aids in the area. The white color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does Gwennap Head Range Beacons Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Gwennap Head Range Beacons Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Porthgwarra at 0.4 NM to the ESE. Other ports served include Sennen Cove (2 NM NNW), Land's End (2.4 NM NW), Penberth (3.1 NM ENE), Saint Just (3.8 NM N). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Gwennap Head Range Beacons Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Gwennap Head Range Beacons Lighthouse is currently operational. It is actively maintained and continues to emit its characteristic light signal for marine navigation. Most modern lighthouses are automated and monitored remotely by the national maritime authority.
What shipping routes pass near Gwennap Head Range Beacons Lighthouse?+
Gwennap Head Range Beacons Lighthouse is located within the English Channel / North Sea corridor — one of the world's busiest maritime corridors connecting the Atlantic to Northern European ports. This makes it an important navigation reference for commercial shipping traffic in the region.
How can I track vessels near Gwennap Head Range Beacons Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Gwennap Head Range Beacons Lighthouse in real time using MarineRadar. The platform shows live AIS positions of ships in the area, including vessel name, type, flag, speed, and course. Use the "Track Vessels Nearby" button on this page to open the live map centered on this lighthouse.