Enclosure Walls at South Stack Lighthouse

Cadw's description

Location

On South Stack Island, defining a series of enclosures associated with the lighthouse.

History

There is no certain date for the construction of these walls, which could be early C19 (contemporary, for example with the bridge giving access to the island); it seems likely, however, that they were constructed in the later C19, when the lighthouse tower was raised in height, and various other additions and improvements were made to the site.

Exterior

Low white-washed rendered rubble walls mark out a series of enclosures associated with the lighthouse on South Stack Island: they shelter the access path to the lighthouse from the bridge on the N side, and mark the edge of cliffs towards the south side of the island. The former garden/allotment for the keepers' accommodation is also enclosed on the S side of the lighthouse buildings. To the SW of the lighthouse, parallel walls enclose a flight of steps which leads down to a circular platform. This is almost certainly the site of a low-level light to be used when the higher light was obscured by fog, and may have replaced an earlier low light established in 1832 - a wooden lantern running on an inclined railway.

Reason for designation

The walls form an important part of the context of the lighthouse and its associated buildings.