Souter Lighthouse & The Leas
Souter Lighthouse
A red-and-white striped Victorian lighthouse on limestone cliffs, and the world’s first lighthouse designed for electric lighting.
Souter Lighthouse began operating in 1871 and was the world’s first lighthouse built specifically for electric lighting. Its red-and-white striped tower stands out dramatically on the cliffs. It is managed by the National Trust, and visitors can climb to the lamp room and see the keeper’s cottage, preserved as it was. The surrounding Leas Cliffs are an open grassland stretching about 4 kilometres, where seabirds nest on the cliff faces. Just to the south is the famous Marsden Rock, a sea stack. Admission is about £9. Take the metro to South Shields and then bus E1.
Opening hours
Approx. Mar-Oct 11:00-17:00
Nearby sights
- Tynemouth Priory and Castle
- Arbeia Roman Fort
- Tynemouth Longsands
- St Mary's Lighthouse
- Penshaw Monument
- Segedunum Roman Fort
- Ouseburn Valley
- Victoria Tunnel