Smeaton's Tower

Our historic lighthouse is more than 250 years old and is one of the city's landmark buildings. Climb the 93 steps to the top and enjoy panoramic views of Plymouth and beyond.

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.