Meik's Lighthouse

Meik's Lighthouse, or the “White Lighthouse” as it is also known locally, is a cast iron lighthouse located in Roker Cliff Park, Sunderland. It was built in 1856 by Thomas Meik, the River Wear Commissioners' Engineer, and was originally located on the Old South Pier at the mouth of the River Wear.

The Old South Pier was built in 1836 to provide a safe haven for ships entering the River Wear. The pier was damaged by storms in 1852 and 1853, and continued to deteriorate over the years, and it was eventually closed to ships in 1973. In 1983, the Old South Pier was demolished, and the Lighthouse was moved to its current location and restored. In 1984 it reopened to the public.

Meik's Lighthouse is around 15m (50 feet) tall and has a cylindrical base. The tower itself is made of cast iron plates, which are riveted together, and painted white. The lantern room which sits above the tower with a painted black balustrade, is topped by a cast iron dome. The lighthouse was designed in the style of a classical Tuscan column which wraps around an intricate cast iron staircase, which is itself wrapped around an internal column.

The lighthouse was originally equipped with a fixed white light, which shone for 3 miles (4.8 km). The light was powered by a kerosene lamp but with the advent of new technology, in 1903, the lighthouse was converted to use an electric lamp. Further advances led to the lighthouse becoming automated in 1973 and controlled from a central station.

Meik's Lighthouse is one of only a few surviving cast iron lighthouses in the United Kingdom. It is a Grade II* listed building, which means it is considered to be of special architectural or historic interest.

Thomas Meik can be considered a peer of famous names such as Robert Stephenson and Isambard Kingdom Brunel, and delivered a large number of projects which helped to make Sunderland one of the world's major ports. Indeed, the company which he founded after leaving his post is still in operating today (though due to multiple buy outs it goes by a different name) and has had a hand in projects such as the Channel Tunnel Rail Link and the Severn Crossing.

Meik's Lighthouse is now a popular tourist attraction and though not in its original position, it still allows visitors to enjoy panoramic views of the River Wear and the surrounding area.