About the Island & Lighthouse
Reached between the tides via a short causeway from the car park, St. Mary's has all the fascination of a miniature, part-time island. The lighthouse, completed in 1898 on a hazardous coast for shipping, remained operational until 1984.
Visitors can climb the 137 steps inside the tower to the lantern room to enjoy spectacular views along the North East coast of England. If you cannot manage the steps, a live video facility allows you to experience the same panorama at ground level.
Other exhibits explain the history of the lighthouse and provide insights about the wildlife outside. The small, yet important Nature Reserve comprises rockpools, a beach, freshwater ponds and clifftop grassland and provides habitats for a rich variety of marine life and spectacular flights of resident and migrating seabirds and waders.
Our shop can be visited without having to pay the admission charge. We have an extensive and unusual range of gifts, souvenirs, books, toys and cards. Hot & cold drinks and snacks are available from vending machines inside the building.
Bookings are welcome from coach operators, schools, colleges and youth and community groups. A warden service is available for groups and we are used to planning programmes to suit individual requirements, such as:
- Group visits outside of normal opening hours.
(Wardened Group prices on application)
- Guided walks during the Easter & summer school holidays
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