Old Law Beacons On Guile Point

Lighthouse Holy Island Northumberland

Old Law Beacons On Guile Point

Lighthouse In Holy Island, Northumberland

Two obelisk navigation beacons that when lined up would direct you into Holy Island harbour.

If you have visited Holy Island and looked out over the harbour, then no doubt you will have noticed two obelisks on the beach opposite.

These are the Old Law Beacons on Guile Point and similar to the Emmanuel Head Daymark on the north of the island, they were a navigational aid for boats entering the estuary.

They were designed by Newcastle architect John Dobson, famous for many buildings in including Eldon Square and Central Station. The 21 metre tall beacons were to be used solely during the day as it was considered too dangerous to enter the harbour at night. 

Although they look solid stone, then are actually wooden with a stone cladding on the outside. They were built in 1826 by Trinity House, who continue to manage lighthouses and navigational aids in the UK.

The way they worked is that a vessel entering the harbour would line up the two beacons on a bearing of 260° and then turn sharply northward as they approached the tip of the sandy spit on the south side of the entrance to Holy Island Harbour.

In 1992, solar panels lights were added to the east column to illuminate the channel at night.

We haven't managed to visit this one ourself, however our Fabulous North friend Chris Welch kindly supplied us all of these amazing photographs.

Although here is one photograph we took of them from our visit to Holy Island.

NOTE: Please be aware to avoid visiting the beacons in the summer months as the beach immediately to the south of the obelisks is an important haul out area for the Grey seals. So walking along the beach during the summer can disturb them. There are also Little Terns nest on the small islet to the east and are a protected species. RSPB Wardens are normally present then.

Thanks to Active 4 Seasons for this information.

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Where Is Old Law Beacons On Guile Point

Where Is It?

What three words
legroom.gender.revived

Lat / Long
55.65819, -1.793267
Show Place On Google Maps

Head onto Ross Sands beach and make your way north to Guile Point. Check the tide times as Guile Point is a tidal island, so make sure you go at low tide. Hugging the west of the island is best to avoid water and the oyster beds.


Where To Park?

What three words
warriors.thrusters.unloaded

Lat / Long
55.626361, -1.792885

Show Parking On Google Maps

You can park at the side of the road in Belford.

Simon Hawkins

Contributed by Simon Hawkins

Thanks for checking out this place on the Fabulous North! I do enjoy a wander out in to the countryside trying to find hidden gems that not many people know about. You can't beat a rogue Pele tower up a remote hill or a mysterious stone circle or a stunning waterfall secluded in a forest.

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