Burnham-on-sea

The Low Lighthouse, or “the Lighthouse on Legs’, is one of three lighthouses in Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset, and the only one which is still active. It is a Grade II listed building and stands on the foreshore.

First lit in 1832, the Low Lighthouse was run in conjunction with the onshore High Lighthouse for the next 137 years. Following improvements to the High Light, the Low Light was then deactivated in 1969; but it was then re-established in 1993 (when the High Lighthouse lights were permanently discontinued).

The following year, Burnham High Lighthouse was put up for sale by Trinity House. It was bought by a member of the Rothschild family who owned it until 1996 when it was sold at auction. Conversion for residential use included the removal of the 6th floor and the construction of stairs where there had previously only been ladders. The red stripe on the building is still used, in conjunction with that on the Low lighthouse, as a leading mark.

Burnham High and Burnham Low initially functioned as leading lights for vessels entering the River Parrett.