Historic England research records

Historic England Research Records

St Marys Lighthouse
Hob Uid: 1038989
Location : North Tyneside Non Civil Parish
Grid Ref : NZ3525075380
Summary : A lighthouse on St. Mary's Island (also known as Bait Island) in Whitley Bay, built in 1897-8. It ceased to be an active lighthouse in 1984 and by 1994 it had been converted into a natural history museum and visitor centre. The lighthouse is 38 metres/ circa 120 foot high and constructed of brick covered with cement render. The architect was J. Livingstone Miller. This lighthouse was needed to replace an older lighthouse at Tynemouth Priory. Its initial lighting method was by paraffin vapour and it was not converted to electrical light until 1977. The lightkeeper's house was adjacent: this was built out of stone and was linked to the lighthouse tower by a covered passage. Prior to the construction of a causeway in 1929, low-tide access to the lighthouse was by stepping stones.
More information : For further images of St Mary's Lighthouse and details of the history of the Island, please see the Friends of St. Mary's website. - Please note the website is no longer available [01-MAY-2013], it is operated as a visitor centre by North Tyneside Council. (1) A lighthouse on St. Mary's Island (also known as Bait Island) in Whitley Bay, built in 1898, now a visitor centre. The lighthouse is circa 120 foot high and constructed of brick covered with cement render. The architect was J. Livingstone Miller. This lighthouse was needed to replace an older lighthouse at Tynemouth Priory, because pollution from Tyneside's industries was preventing this earlier light from being seen properly. St. Mary's Lighthouse light was initially powered by paraffin vapour; it was not converted to electrical light until 1977. The lighthouse keeper's accommodation was adjacent: this was built out of stone and was linked to the lighthouse tower by a covered passage. Prior to the construction of a causeway in 1929, low-tide access to the lighthouse was by stepping stones. The building ceased to be an active lighthouse in 1984. (2)

Sources :

Source Number : 1
Source :
Source details : Friends of St Mary's Island. 2009. "Friends of St Mary's Island: Photo galleries" <> [Accessed 06-AUG-2009].
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Source Number : 2
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Source details :
Page(s) : 19-20
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Monument Types:

Monument Period Name : Post Medieval
Display Date : Built 1897-8
Monument End Date : 1898
Monument Start Date : 1897
Monument Type : Lighthouse, Lightkeepers House
Evidence : Extant Building

Monument Period Name : 20th Century
Display Date : Change in functionby 1994
Monument End Date : 1994
Monument Start Date :
Monument Type : Museum
Evidence : Extant Building

Monument Period Name : Late 20th Century
Display Date : Converted to electricity 1977
Monument End Date : 1977
Monument Start Date : 1977
Monument Type : Lighthouse
Evidence : Extant Building

Components and Objects:

Related Records from other datasets:

External Cross Reference Source : NBR Index Number
External Cross Reference Number : 94821
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : ViewFinder
External Cross Reference Number : NMR/17677/08
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : NBR Index Number
External Cross Reference Number : 110930
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External Cross Reference Source : Unified Designation System UID
External Cross Reference Number : 1408299
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : National Monuments Record Number
External Cross Reference Number : NZ 37 NE 8
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Related Warden Records :

Related Activities :

Associated Activities :
Activity type : ARCHITECTURAL SURVEY
Start Date : 1995-11-14
End Date : 1995-11-14

Historic England Research Records

St Marys Lighthouse