12992

 

II  

Designated  

14/07/1993  

29/03/1996  

Strumble Head Lighthouse with associated buildings and boundary wall  

 

Pembrokeshire  

Pencaer  

 

 

189238  

241288  

 

Situated on Ynys Meicel, and reached via a bridge across the narrow tidal strait.  

Maritime  

 

The earliest application for a light on Strumble Head was made in 1825, but it was not until 1908-9 that a lighthouse was built here, in response to the increased traffic between Ireland and the new Fishguard Harbour. The lighthouse was designed by Thomas Mathews, Engineer-in-Chief to Trinity House. Originally oil-powered, it was electrified in 1965. An electronic fog signal was installed in 1969, replacing the earlier use of explosives, but this was itself discontinued in 1988. The station was manned until 1979.  

The site comprises a linked group of buildings -keepers' accommodation, lighthouse and engine room - set in a small walled enclosure. Compound wall is roughly coursed rubble, white-washed to its external face, with ashlar gate piers with pyramidal copings to main entrance. To the NW, the walls enclose a small circular area which formerly housed a flag-staff. Accommodation building is lined-out render with flat roof; single storeyed, symmetrically laid out with advanced outer bays and central projecting porch. Doorway in side of porch which is flanked by a single window to either side (each a wood mullioned and transomed window of 2-lights); similar windows in advance outer bays. Return elevation to left incorporates the separate entrance to the self-contained engineers' accommodation: central entrance flanked by 2-light windows. Stepped cornice and raised blocking course throughout; axial chimney set towards left-hand rear. To the rear, a short corridor with central doorway and flanking windows links the accommodation with the tower. Lighthouse is 16.8m in height, circular in plan, with a slight taper. 2-light recessed windows in upper stage (the service room), with stressed cills and lintels. Heavy moulded projecting cornice forms gallery with cast-iron railing with fluted finials to principle posts. Lantern has lattice glazing and in surmounted by a cowl and an arrow wind vane. Engine house adjoins the tower to the rear: also single storeyed, with plain projecting eaves, and windows set high up. Fog-stack projects from the NW angle. Built into the boundary wall E of the lighthouse is the original explosives store for the fog signal: lined-out render. with steep segmentally arched roof; doorways in either end (one now blocked) and small shuttered openings in inner wall. Lined with tongue-and-grooved boarding inside, it was apparently divided into 2 spaces to house the explosives and detonators.  

Central corridor with the 4 rooms of the keepers' accommodation (retaining some original fitted furniture) opening off it leads to the base of the tower. Cantilevered stone staircase against the wall, with enriched newels. Engraved tablet set in the tower wall records: 'This lighthouse was erected by the Corporation of Trinity House in the year 1908. Admiral His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, Master, Captain Sit George Rowlands-Vyvyan, KCMG, Deputy Master, T.Mathews, Engineer-in Chief'. Cast-iron type (formerly housing weights of clock-work rotative mechanism) the full-height of the tower. Cast-iron ladder stair leads from service room to lantern: slate plaque inscrived with a verse from Psalm 27 (Except the Lord...) fixed to the inner side of the glazing. The large Chance Lens revolves in a bath of mercury, supported on a cast-iron base with cylindrical columns and moulded braces.  

The lighthouse is one of the few early C20 lights in Wales; it is an excellent illustration of the traditions of construction and of efficient planning developed into the C20.