Admire the red-and-white stripes of Smeaton's Tower from the ground and then climb to the top to see the old lantern room. Get a glimpse into the lives of lighthouse keepers in the 18th century and take in views from all over Plymouth.
Originally built on the Eddystone Reef in 1759, the lighthouse was dismantled in the early 1880s due to the degradation of the rocks upon which it sat. Find it resting on the Plymouth Hoe, where it has been restored to its original condition after two thirds of the structure was painstakingly moved here. The lighthouse remains as a monument to its designer, John Smeaton, who rediscovered a form of ancient Roman concrete in order to build it.
Climb the 93 steps of the circular stone staircase and wooden ladders through narrow openings. Learn about the life led by the lighthouse keeper and his family as you pass the kitchen and the tiny wooden beds. Read the history of the tower on panels as you climb. Find the lantern room at the top, with its original candelabra. On special occasions the candles are still lit.
Brace yourself for the wind and enjoy an incredible 360-degree view from the top of the 72-foot (22-meter) structure. Look out over Plymouth Sound and the hills of South Hams to the east. To the west gaze across the countryside of Cornwall to the city of Dartmoor. In good visibility you might spot the original base of the tower, which still sits next to the current Eddystone lighthouse.
Find Smeaton’s Tower on the Plymouth Hoe, a short walk from the city center. The lighthouse is closed at different times of the year and opening times can vary, so be sure to check the current schedule. There is a small entry fee. Be aware that the nature of the lighthouse means that disabled access is extremely limited.
