Longships Lighthouse


Perched on a rocky reef, 1.25 miles out to sea from Land's End, this famous lighthouse is a marvel of maritime engineering. Built to warn ships away from this infamously dangerous stretch of coastline, the first structure was built in 1795 but was swamped by waves, and subsequently replaced in 1873 at the considerable cost of £43,870. Since then it’s somehow withstood even the worst of the Atlantic storms, and has been unmanned since 1988.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Roundhouse and Capstan Gallery

1.95 MILES

Browse local paintings and artworks in this peculiar little gallery just off the harbour, housed in a circular building that would once have held a ships'…

2. Nanjizal

2.44 MILES

It's a bit of a walk from Land's End, but this remote, rocky cove is an old favourite if you fancy a bit of seclusion away from the crowds (or most of…

3. Gwenver Beach

2.92 MILES

The northern end of Sennen's sands is the prettiest, a 150m curve of soft yellow sand. It's joined with the main beach at low tide, but it's a bit more…

4. Porthgwarra

3.79 MILES

This idyllic cove ticks pretty much all the boxes you can think of: sand, slipway, translucent blue water and tall cliffs – not to mention that all…

5. Porth Chapel

4.29 MILES

A beach for the active: this attractive rocky cove is backed by high cliffs and sits in a remote spot along the coast path in the far west of Penwith,…

6. Porthcurno Telegraph Museum

4.4 MILES

This fascinating museum charts the unlikely tale of Porthcurno's role in transatlantic telecommunications. In 1870 an underwater cable was laid here,…

8. Cape Cornwall

4.48 MILES

Jutting out from the cliffs near St Just is Cornwall's only cape, a craggy outcrop of land topped by an abandoned mine stack. Below the cape is the rocky…