Full Report for Listed Buildings
The list description is not intended to be a complete inventory of what is listed: it is principally intended to aid identification. By law, the definition of a listed building includes the entire building (i) and any structure or object that is fixed to the said building and ancillary to it and (ii) any other structure or object that forms part of the land and has done so since before 1 July 1948, and was within the curtilage of the building, and ancillary to it, on the date on which said building was first included in the list, or on 1 January 1969, whichever was later.
Summary Description
Reference Number
5284
Building Number
Grade
II
Status
Designated
Date of Designation
05/04/1971
Date of Amendment
30/06/1998
Name of Property
South Stack Lighthouse and former keepers' accommodation
Address
Location
Unitary Authority
Isle of Anglesey
Community
Trearddur
Town
Locality
Easting
220230
Northing
382264
Street Side
Location
Situated on South Stack Island, due W of Holyhead, and approached via a long flight of steps in the cliff, and a bridge over the narrow strait separating the island from the mainland.
Description
Broad Class
Maritime
Period
History
A lighthouse on South Stack was first proposed in 1665, but in fact a light was not established here until 1809. The lighthouse was designed by Daniel Alexander, consultant engineer to Trinity House, and it was the first one that he built. Its builder was Joseph Nelson, who also built associated dwellings (possibly the detached buildings to the E of the present range). The tower was raised in height in 1874, and a new lantern added. It is likely that the present accommodation was added at this time. Oil powered since 1874, the light was electrified in 1938 and automated in 1984.
Exterior
.
28 metre high tower towards the W of the island. Masonry, (from rock dug out on the site) rendered and painted white, circular and tapering in plan. Bold modillion corbels carry the projecting moulded parapet which supports a cast-iron railing with fluted finials to posts. Cast-iron lantern with lattice glazing and domed roof with cowl. Projecting sills to small stair windows, and service room windows at upper level, which are mullioned and transomed with raked-back upper lights.
Engine room and former keepers' accommodation adjoin the tower to the E: white-washed rubble with 2 parallel slate roofs with coped E gables. Single storeyed, with entrance in projecting porch to the SW, and in E facing gable, in rusticated architrave. 4-light mullioned windows with external shutters.
Interior
The tower is open as far as the service room immediately below the lantern, with a cantilevered stone staircase against the outer wall, with plain bellied cast-iron rail. Cast-iron tube runs the full height of the tower, formerly housing the weights of the clockwork rotative mechanism. Optic carried on cast-iron base: cylindrical columns with square capitals and moulded brackets. 6-sided lens with prismatic reflectors rotating in a bath of mercury. Engine room has light wrought-iron trusses either side of a central cast-iron beam carried on cast-iron columns; former keepers' accommodation comprises a series of rooms opening from a central corridor.
Reason for designation
A fine example of a tower lighthouse with its associated buildings.
Cadw : Full Report for Listed Buildings [ Records 1 of 1 ]
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