Smeaton's Tower

Opening dates and times

Until Thursday 28 March 2013 and from Tuesday 1 October to Saturday 30 November 2013

• 10am to 12pm and 1pm to 3pm Tuesday to Saturday
• Last entries 30 minutes before closing
• Closed from 12pm to 1pm for lunch
• Closed Sunday, Monday and Good Friday

From Saturday 30 March to Saturday 28 September 2013

• 10am to 12pm and 1pm and 4.30pm Tuesday to Friday
• 10am to 12pm and 1pm to 4pm Saturday
• Last entries 30 minutes before closing
• Closed from 12pm to 1pm for lunch
• Closed Sunday and Monday

Please note: Smeaton's Tower may be closed on certain days for civil ceremonies. Please contact us for details.

A famous Plymouth landmark

Historic sites 2013 brochure [463KB]

A centrepiece on Plymouth's Hoe, Smeaton's Tower has become one of the South West's most well known landmarks.

The lighthouse was originally built on the Eddystone reef in 1759 at a cost of £40,000, but was taken down in the early 1880s when it was discovered that the sea was undermining the rock it was standing on.

Approximately two thirds of the structure was moved stone by stone to its current resting place on the Hoe.

Now standing at 72 foot high, Smeaton's Tower offers fantastic views of Plymouth Sound and the city from its lantern room which, along with the rest of the building, has been painstakingly restored to its original glory.

The lighthouse is open to the public all year round (with the exception of Christmas and Good Friday). For details of current opening times, admission prices and access information see our visitor information page. For images visit our flickr site.

For a further insight into the history of the Tower and the other Eddystone lighthouses both past and present visit our Eddystone lighthouses pages.

For information about transport links visit our travel information page.

If you're considering getting married in an unusual venue, why not visit our Smeaton's Tower civil ceremonies page?