Herd Groyne

The Groyne Pier was built between 1861 and 1867.

The purpose of the Groyne pier was to help the flow of the river and to protect the Littlehaven beach from being swept away by the incoming tide.

The iron lighthouse was erected by the Newcastle Trinity House Board in 1882 after plans were made by the Tyne Improvement Commission. It was built before the North and South piers. The official name for the lighthouse is the ‘Herd Groyne Lighthouse’ the word Herd coming from Herd sands which was the original name for the stretch of beach we now call the Littlehaven.

The Lighthouse which stands 13 meters high acts as a navigational aid guiding ships in and out of the river Tyne.

The light itself was exhibited for the first time on the 30th October 1882 and is shown from a large rectangular window at the front of the lighthouse. The main occulting light is shown for a duration of 8 seconds at 2 second intervals and is visible for 13 miles.

The lighthouse is also one of a few in this country that has an operational fog bell which strikes once every five seconds in reduced visibility.