Maps

The Anglesey Coastal Path  skirts Ynys Llanddwyn (and can be seen in this image)

Photo by Ian Warburton

Old photo from Postcard about 1910, when it was in use

On the far southerly end, sticking out from the southern end of Anglesey, just west of the entry to the Menai Strait, in the island of Llanddwyn. On this island we have two towers, a little way apart, but for recorded history there has been one functioning lighthouse here.

We first appear to have had a beacon on a tower, it is said from 1800, but possibly before, then from 1873 until 1975 we had a lighthouse, but the lighthouse is now shut and we have, from 1975, a light on the top of the old tower. But when we delve deeper the situation is less clear cut.

Neither tower showed on charts by Lewis Morris, of 1800, but both appear on the Ordnance Survey 1818-1823 2 inches/mile map so both may have originated as unlit markers. It may be that they were originally constructed to be a pair of beacons.

The Lighthouse

We find that in 1873 or was it 1845, when they constructed the lighthouse, that the lantern and fittings cost £250 7s 6d, including the adaptation of an ‘earlier tower’.

The tower is tapered in a way very similar to Anglesey windmills, it is 10.7m (35ft) high and 5.5m (18ft) in diameter. It may have been constructed by an Anglesey stone mason, and some think it is possible that the tower itself was originally used as a windmill, although there is nothing other than its shape to support this.

The north east door is flanked by small windows, and the two floors above also have small windows, but the top does not. The conical roof is slated and has a flag pole. The present lantern window is about 2m (6ft 6ins) by 0.61m (2ft). The optic, silver plated reflector and Fresnel lens were used into the 1970s and are dated 1861. The lantern was originally lit by six Argand lamps with reflectors.

The postcard photo around 1910 above shows an image that could be mistaken for today except that there is a line from the top, perhaps a flag pole or perhaps a chimney with smoke on a still day. Plus the path to the lighthouse has white painted edge stones.

The lighthouse ceased to be used from 1975.

The Second Tower

A smaller, conical tower, with a domed top, can be found to the north east of the island, (nearer the Menai Strait) and may be an earlier structure. The white painted walls are 2.03m (6ft 8ins) in radius and 0.91m (3ft) thick with a door to the north west and shows signs of cracking to the rubble filled walls on the west. As far as we know this was first lit in 1975 and is still lit today.

The island

The cottages nearby have been used as craft workshops, and the local community here once serviced pilot boats and life boats. The island is also the site of the ruined church of St. Dwynwen and now part of a national nature reserve, although fully open to the public with paths.

The nearby pilot house is now a museum of local maritime history.

Although called an island the majority of the time you can just walk straight onto it, and the Anglesey Coastal Path   skirts it. Only at extremely high tides does water flow between it and the mainland of Anglesey.

Photo by Robin Drayton

Navigation beacon on Llanddwyn Island.
This has come back into use since the decommissioning of the lighthouse nearby. In the distance
 is Newborough Warren. In the far distance are the mountains of Snowdonia, half hidden in the haze.

Photo by Dr Richard Murray  

Cross and old lighthouse on Ynys Llanddwyn

The lighthouse is no longer in use. Hills of the Llyn Peninsula in the distance on the left.

Photo by Dr Richard Murray 

Llanddwyn disused lighthouse painted up for  the "Halflight" movie

Photo by Stephen Elwyn Roddic 

Lighthouse information Grid Name: Llanddwyn Island Lighthouse(s), Anglesey Current status: Tower from 1800 + since 1975 has light Old lighthouse 1845-1975 now disused Geographic Position: Tower 1800 +1975 on Old lighthouse 1845-1975 Grid Reference: Tower 1800 +1975 on       SH386624 Old lighthouse 1845-1975  SH385625   Ceremonial County: Anglesey Appearance: Tower 1800+1975 on, round conical stone tower, painted white. Old lighthouse 1845-1975 round old style stone tower attached to a keeper's house, photos appear to show a small lantern. Lighthouse painted white.  Map Link: get-a-map   Multimap Aerial photo: Google satellite view. Other photos: Geograph     photo     photo2     photo3 Originally built: Tower 1800 +1975 on Old lighthouse 1845-1975 Current lighthouse built: no one knows for sure, converted to lighthouse Height of Tower: Tower 1800 +1975    17ft Old lighthouse 1845-1975   Height of light above mean sea level: Tower 1800 +1975     12m (39ft) Old lighthouse 1845-1975   11m (36ft) Character of light: Tower 1800 +1975 flash every 2.5 s, white or red depending on direction. Old lighthouse 1845-1975 Character of fog signal: None Range of light: Tower 1800 +1975 = 5 miles Owned / run by: Tower 1800 +1975 Owner/ Operator: unknown. Site manager: Llanddwyn Island National Nature Reserve Old lighthouse 1845-1875 its thought the owner is Anglesey local council. Site manager: Llanddwyn Island National Nature Reserve. Getting there: By paths about a 3 mile walk from nearest roads. See map. Access: Tower 1800 +1975    - Site open, tower closed. Old lighthouse 1845-1875 - Site open, tower closed. Website:   Other Useful Websites: Wiki    Lighthouse depot 1     Lighthouse depot 2  Routes: Anglesey Coastal Path  Nearby Locations: Anglesey Attractions    Anglesey Attractions Map Other Relevant pages: For more articles, lists and other information see the Lighthouses Section Lighthouse Map of England and Wales Featured List of Lighthouses - England and Wales   List of Minor Lighthouses and Lights - England and Wales Notes: In 2004, the 1845-1975 lighthouse tower was repainted with its lower half red for its appearance in the movie 'Half Light', starring Demi Moore. See photo of this above.

Please let us know any other information that we can add to the Grid or page and any errors that you discover. Before making a long trip to any location it is always wise to double check the current information, websites like magazines may be correct at the time the information is written, but things change and it is of course impossible to double check all entries on a regular basis. If you have any good photographs that you feel would improve the illustration of this page then please let us have copies. In referring to this page it is helpful if you quote both the Page Ref and Topic or Section references from the Grid below. To print the planning grid select it then right click and print the selected area.

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By: Keith Park	Section:  Lighthouses Section	Key:
Page Ref:  Llanddwyn_Island	Topic: Lighthouses	Last Updated: 06/2010

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