Godrevy Lighthouse Audio Guide for Hayle

Welcome to one of the most iconic landscapes in all of Cornwall. As you stand on Godrevy Head and look out across the churning waters of Saint Ives Bay, your eyes are immediately drawn to that stark, white octagonal tower perched on its own rocky island. This is Godrevy Lighthouse, a sentinel that has watched over these treacherous waters for more than one hundred and sixty years. Built by Trinity House in the late eighteen fifties, the tower stands twenty-six meters tall, or roughly eighty-six feet, and is constructed from sturdy rubble stone and mortar to withstand the relentless Atlantic storms. From this vantage point, you are witnessing a classic piece of maritime engineering designed by the renowned James Walker. It serves as a vital warning for the reef known as The Stones, which lurks just beneath the surface, reaching out nearly one mile from the island toward the center of the bay. Take a deep breath of the salty air and prepare to discover how this solitary lighthouse evolved from a local tragedy into a global literary icon.