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St. Mary's of Reculver Lighthouse

🇬🇧Thanet, GBOperational

Location & Light Range

About St. Mary's of Reculver Lighthouse

The St. Mary's of Reculver consists of a pair of octagonal stone church towers, dating from the 12th century, situated just off the beach at Reculver, near Herne Bay. These structures, standing 20 meters tall with a focal height of 18 meters, were restored by Trinity House in 1810 and fitted with windvanes, which were later removed in 1930. The towers serve as daybeacons, providing a visual navigational aid with a geographic range of 12.7 nautical miles. They are charted as Admiralty number A1972 and ARLHS number ENG-079.

Why it matters: These twin towers are significant for daytime navigation in the Thanet District, marking a historical landmark and potential coastal hazard.

Light & Optic

Focal Height
18m
Geographic Range
12.7NM

Construction & History

Year Built
12

Significant events: Trinity House bought and restored towers as daybeacons 1810, windvanes added 1810, windvanes removed 1930

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Ramsgate(3.1 km)
Admiralty No.
A1972
ARLHS No.
ENG-079

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
20m
Tower Shape
octagonal
Material
stone

Structure: octagonal stone tower with lantern

Location

City
Thanet
Country
🇬🇧United Kingdom
Region
England
Sea Region
Located just off the beach at Reculver, approximately 2 km east of Herne Bay in the Thanet District of Northeast Kent, England.
Latitude
51.3749°
Longitude
1.4451°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Which ports and harbors does St. Mary's of Reculver Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
St. Mary's of Reculver Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Broadstairs at 1.2 NM to the WSW. Other ports served include Deal (2.7 NM SSW), Ramsgate (2.9 NM SSW), Richborough (6.9 NM SW), Sandwich (7.4 NM SSW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is St. Mary's of Reculver Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, St. Mary's of Reculver 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 St. Mary's of Reculver Lighthouse?+
St. Mary's of Reculver 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 St. Mary's of Reculver Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near St. Mary's of Reculver 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.