South Stack lighthouse

south stack with seagull
South Stack and steps
South Stack - the buildings

South Stack is one of Wales’ mist spectacular lighthouses, situated on Holy Island on the North West coast of Anglesey.It has been a warning beacon of the treacherous rocks below, for passing ships since it’s construction in 1809.There are over 400 stone steps down to the island, and as you take each one, you can marvel at the awesome geology of the cliff faces, where over 4,000 pairs of seabirds nest during the summer Until 1828 when a bridge was built, the only means of crossing the deep water channel on to the island was in a basket which was suspended on a hempen cable. Sadly, in 1983 the bridge had to be closed to the public, due to safety reasons.In 1998 however, a new aluminium bridge was built, and once again the island and all it’s spender was opened to the public. The 91ft lighthouse was designed by David Alexander and the mail light is visible to passing vessels for 28 miles! It was automated in 1998. Thousands of visitors are welcomed on the island every year.It is open from Easter to the end of September, and 11am to 5pm every day.Tickets can be purchased in the South Stack Cafe, where there is a large car park. Tours are available, but not guaranteed at busy times Other facilities include a picnic area, toilets (there are none on South Stack island), telescopes, binoculars hire, close circuit TV,teaching programmes and guidedwalks.There is also a visitor centre, called Ellin’s Tower (pic above), where you can watch the Fulmars, Guillemots, Puffins and Razorbill birds. you can watch live pictures of the birds nesting on the cliffs. Public transport is available to South Stack.