South Stack Lighthouse
South Stack Lighthouse
South Stack Lighthouse
4.5
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
South Stack Lighthouse and Visitor Centre, operated under licence from Trinity House. Tickets available on the island ONLY at Present. Cash only as no signal for wifi for card machines.
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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Address
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Best nearby
Restaurants
54 within 3 miles
Attractions
33 within 6 miles
See what travelers are saying
- Johann FWolverhampton, United Kingdom11 contributionsOutstanding beautyIncredible,gorgeous views . Outstanding beauty ,worth a visit . Only thing was the lighthouse was closed and I believe opens during the summer only but the walk down the steps was worth it ! Great place for taking pictures . Highly recommended.Visited March 2023Traveled with friendsWritten March 5, 2023
- lee w8 contributionsSouth stack lighthouse AngleseyNice for a quick visit if the west is good, wouldn’t fancy the walk down the cliff steps if the weather was bad. The walk back up is from the lighthouse is hard going. Food at the cafe was fairly goodVisited April 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten April 13, 2023
- June ASurrey, United Kingdom2,663 contributionsA brilliant experienceI love lighthouses and this one was no exception. It's a bit of a walk down and definitely not for those without a head for heights but perfectly safe as long as you look where you're going. The tour is well worth doing and the guides very knowledgeable with lots to look at and read. The light is automated now of course like they all are but the keepers cottages are still there.Visited July 2022Written June 25, 2023
- Julia Turpin3 contributionsBeautiful place and great experience.Experience of a lifetime for me. To see the thousands of Razor Bills and Guillemots perched on their ledges, and to to hear them both there and on the sea was memorable. I also saw 4 Puffin and 5 Chough, both new birds for me, Brilliant!Visited June 2023Written June 28, 2023
- curlywurly123Derbyshire, United Kingdom135 contributionsInteresting tourVisited the lighthouse on a sunny day this week. When we arrived originally at 11am, it was busy, no car park spaces. So we popped up to Holyhead & had a walk on the breakwater for a couple of hours & returned about 2pm, still busy but calmer than earlier. We duly paid the £9.50 to go down to the lighthouse, and went down the steps, all 410 of them. Once out on the stack the smell of bird Pooh was quite pungent, there’s 1000s of birds talking to each other. Had an interesting talk to the guide & learnt a lot. The tour took about 40 mins, then had to climb the steps again! Phew! That was tough. But overall had a nice timeVisited June 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten June 30, 2023
- Greenhalgh_FamilyBury, United Kingdom44 contributionsWell worth the sore legs!We decided to take a drive to Anglesey and saw signs for the lighthouse so thought we’d check it out… it was so worth it. Such a fantastic experience to say ‘we’ve climbed to the top of a lighthouse’ the walk down and back up was an absolute killer to the legs, but I’d do it again! The people working there must be so fit to tackle those stairs on a daily basis and still be so friendly and informative.Visited April 2023Traveled with familyWritten July 9, 2023
- Anna R2 contributionsA Thrilling ExperienceA brilliant experience. Didn’t know what to expect when we got there but the scenery was dramatic, even in the fog. We paid to go to the island and it was well worth it. Initially you go over the bridge and enjoy the gushing sea and caves in the rock. Then into the museum which is basic but had some interesting things to read about the history of the lighthouse and the area. It took us two attempts to get up the stairs to view the light at the top but I’m so glad we did. Vince was really encouraging as I got to the final ladder (I might not have got up there otherwise!!!) and again, it was well worth the effort. Vince gave a great little talk and I felt really connected to the place after that. We even spotted a puffin on the way back up the cliff stairs. All in all, a thrilling experience. Thank you!Visited July 2023Traveled with familyWritten July 23, 2023
- Melissa DDerby, United Kingdom106 contributionsBit of a slog but worth it.Great views, and knowledgeable staff who made this trip worth the price AND the steps. The walk down and bridge are lovely and you get some great views. Park at the RSPB car park so you can refuel after the slog back up. The lighthouse steps (over 100 to add to the 400+ back up the hill) are tight and twisty, and the end is ladder like. My view disappeared in to a sea mist which descended quickly.Visited August 2023Traveled with familyWritten September 3, 2023
- Shaza A9 contributionsOne of the best places!South Stack lighthouse is one of the best stunning places to visit. After going on holiday for almost 20yrs 2-3 times a year we always visit. South stack has a magical spiritual feeling and I am not the only one to say so. The cafe is superb amazing coffee cake toilets too. With the option of sitting outside or in doors. Many fantastic paths to explore.Visited August 2023Traveled with familyWritten September 3, 2023
- SunnySurreyTraveller211 contributionsFabulous spot but disappointed with behaviour of staff / volunteersThis beautiful place cannot fail to impress - absolutely stunning. However - arrived by car at start of the staff’s day. Bought a car park ticket for £5 straight away and displayed it. Then went in to the shop and asked for a leaflet with the paths marked. Didn’t feel like I was very welcome as the lady shuffled off to find the leaflet (which I would have thought would have been available simply to pick up myself) and then rather gruffly asked if I wanted welsh or english version. Anyway…wasn’t doing the 400 steps to the lighthouse so just took a gentle stroll along the coast and back. Left the car park and on driving out heard a flapping noise on my windscreen and discovered a leaflet suggesting I had not paid for parking. Really annoyed and tempted to turn back and find the car park attendant lady and give her a piece of my mind but decided that life’s too short. Just not the kind of welcome one should expect at such a lovely place.Visited September 2023Traveled with friendsWritten September 6, 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,400 reviews
Excellent
992
Very good
321
Average
59
Poor
13
Terrible
15
DeniseJay
Cheltenham, UK38 contributions
Jun 2022
Tickets are best purchased at the hut outside the cafe, contactless payment is available. Walk to the lighthouse is not really suitable for anyone with mobility problems. There is a zig-zag path containing stone steps of varying depths (450 in all I believe) and the view along the cliff makes it a really pleasant descent. You cross a covered bridge to the island where your tickets are checked. There is no wi-fi on the island and one young couple were turned back as they hadn't brought tickets. The 150 steps up to the top were too much for my husband. The last steps into the lamp area are steep; like a ladder but more secure. The guides were very informative
Written June 26, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SteveWilkinson
Crewe, UK70 contributions
Jul 2021 • Couples
An essential adventure when in the area but at the date of this review we weren’t able to get into the lighthouse and we’re still charged to walk to the building. You will have seen everything there is to see if you stop at the gate and don’t pay to cross the bridge. Parking is difficult and costs £5 per day when you can get a space. The walk down and of course back up is a challenge but can be done in stages by resting on the benches which makes it manageable for most people. The views are stunning and around the top of the walk there is lots of space for picnics and there is a cafe for food and access to toilets.
Written August 3, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CockneyBrum
Worcestershire, UK2,874 contributions
Aug 2021
The views here are well worth the trip. I would imagine the views are different every time you visit (we visited on an overcast "summer's" day). Although the puffins weren't around, the lighthouse itself is still beautiful to look at.
The cafe is well worth a visit too with fantastic coffee - probably the best we had all holiday and the shop has some great Puffin related stuff too.
You can pick up a lot of Irish radio on FM here too if that floats your boat!
Car parking was fairly reasonable at £2, although I don't think you were forced to pay from what I could tell (although the money raised does go the RSPB). You will need cash as it's stupidly not contactless, although they take cards in the shop.
The cafe is well worth a visit too with fantastic coffee - probably the best we had all holiday and the shop has some great Puffin related stuff too.
You can pick up a lot of Irish radio on FM here too if that floats your boat!
Car parking was fairly reasonable at £2, although I don't think you were forced to pay from what I could tell (although the money raised does go the RSPB). You will need cash as it's stupidly not contactless, although they take cards in the shop.
Written August 31, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
psteer
Prescot, UK378 contributions
Jul 2022 • Family
This was well worth the two hour drive. We parked up at the cafe located a short walk from the start of the lighthouse trail. We purchased the tickets from the ticket booth outside the cafe, £17.50 for two adults and one child. Was well worth the walk, enjoyed climbing the lighthouse and having a 10-15 talk at the top of the lighthouse about the history and conservation of it. Walk back up was tough given it was such a hot day but enjoyed the cafe next to the car park.
Written July 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AlexTheJock
Wigston, UK2,115 contributions
Sep 2022 • Friends
Six long-time, middle-aged friends visited the lighthouse and it was a fabulous experience. We parked up in the RSPB car park as we thought that this was as far as we could get by car, but it turns out that there are another two car parks closer to the lighthouse. We bought the tickets to go inside the lighthouse at the senior citizens rate of £6 each from the kiosk in the RSPB car park and began the walk up to the entrance gate to the beginning of the path down to the island. We counted 365 steps down to the lighthouse, then 118 steps up the inside, but if you are fit and healthy it is totally worth it. It was the first time that any of us had been inside a working lighthouse and it was really interesting, with a talk given by a volunteer in the light room. The climb back up to the car park nearly killed all of us as the steps are steep and never seem to come to an end, but we are so glad that we made this visit.
Written September 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
starfish1909
Beddgelert, UK87 contributions
Jan 2020
Park at the lower car park - £2.50 for the day. Cross the road to see the amazing circle huts of a large Iron Age settlement, then head for the Tower along the cliff path for incredible views. In season the tower is open for viewing birds nesting on the cliffs, with cameras set up so you don’t miss any activity. Next walk on to the South Stack, No dogs on the stack and lots of steps. You can get great views without descending.
If you still have time and energy, walk up to the tor for some more views of the surrounding sea and cliffs.
No cafe here at present but a trip down the road to the National Park just outside Holyhead will provide you with a lovely cafe and more cliff top walks if you haven’t yet seen enough. A Great day out, came home after 6 hours with an exhausted and happy dog.
If you still have time and energy, walk up to the tor for some more views of the surrounding sea and cliffs.
No cafe here at present but a trip down the road to the National Park just outside Holyhead will provide you with a lovely cafe and more cliff top walks if you haven’t yet seen enough. A Great day out, came home after 6 hours with an exhausted and happy dog.
Written January 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Grengee
Liverpool137 contributions
Aug 2021 • Couples
Arrived to a busy carpark. We no longer carry change and the machine needs change. Now despite the cash desk being just inside the door and staff being next to machine we had to walk right around the building enter at the far side and walk all the way through to pay to use the car park. They wanted to take our track and trace details and we had to use a mask inside just to pay to be outside. Sorry but this really didn't make sense to us. We don't really enter buildings with people in unless we have to these days. Paid out two pounds and stayed outside but the oath was too steep for me and my mobility problems anyway so we left... But great views if you can.
Written August 21, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Essexexplorers
Chelmsford, UK100 contributions
Jul 2022
A beautiful and dramatic landmark, definitely worth visiting.
Buy your tickets from the lovely lady at the kiosk by the RSPB cafe .
There are 400 hundred, steep stone steps down to the bridge to the island, make sure you have appropriate footwear, and take some water, the return ascent is exhilarating and gets the heart pounding.
The views are amazing and the staff so very welcoming and informative. It is a wonderful experience to climb to the top of the light house and stand beneath the working lamp and look out on the Irish sea and the rugged coastline. The weather was exceptionally good when we visited, the sea was like a mill pond, I would imagine that it is just as dramatic and beautiful in other weather conditions.
There are lots of walks in the area and the RSPB cafe is good and reasonably priced.
Buy your tickets from the lovely lady at the kiosk by the RSPB cafe .
There are 400 hundred, steep stone steps down to the bridge to the island, make sure you have appropriate footwear, and take some water, the return ascent is exhilarating and gets the heart pounding.
The views are amazing and the staff so very welcoming and informative. It is a wonderful experience to climb to the top of the light house and stand beneath the working lamp and look out on the Irish sea and the rugged coastline. The weather was exceptionally good when we visited, the sea was like a mill pond, I would imagine that it is just as dramatic and beautiful in other weather conditions.
There are lots of walks in the area and the RSPB cafe is good and reasonably priced.
Written July 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Joasi23
South Yorkshire, UK1,387 contributions
Aug 2022
Perfect day to tackle the challenging steps to the lighthouse. Yes it’s arduous , wear sensible footwear. But it’s SOOOOOO worth it. The staff who run the lighthouse tours are lovely , it’s £7.50 per adult collected at the bottom of the steps , and includes a talk at the very top of the spiral staircase about the history and the current management of the light, fascinating. I am not very keen on confined spaces and I managed it fine, so please don’t let it put you off. The climb back up is not easy, but we took our time and there are seats to have a minute. Lots of banter between all those on the way up and down about whether we were mad to do it!!! It’s all adds to the fun , highly recommend.
Written August 29, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Adrian S
Chatham, UK32 contributions
Aug 2021
Very deceiving at the ticket office. It read "No entry into the lighthouse without a ticket". We purchased tickets and walked down the 410 steps. On arrival at the lighthouse we were told we couldn't enter the lighthouse because of Covid. If we had known this we wouldn't have purchased the tickets in the first place but spent more time walking around the national park. I told them at the ticket office that they should change their sign to "No admittance to the island without a ticket" and make it obvious that the lighthouse was closed. I felt they were taking money under false pretences.
Written August 16, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review, we are sorry you were disappointed following your visit. Unfortunately the lighthouse tower is currently closed to visitors and we are sorry if this was not made clear before you purchased a ticket. We do have signage on site and information on our website to advise of this but will look at making sure this is clear at the point of sale at the ticket booth. We hope that when the tower reopens to the public we will be able to welcome you back for a tour and please do contact us if you would like to discuss your visit further.
Written August 25, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
SarJS
Swadlincote, UK53 contributions
Is 2 hours long enough for a visit to the Lighthouse. We need to be in Beaumaris for 12:30pm. I’m thinking if we get there for 9:30am and leave at 11:30am we will have enough time to take a look round but I’m not sure?
Essexexplorers
Chelmsford, UK100 contributions
Hi - yes that should be fine (2 hours)
Is there parking for motorhomes, ours is 7 meters long.
DeniseJay
Cheltenham, UK38 contributions
No. The road up to the Lighthouse is single track. There are three parking areas. The first is quite small and was full when we arrived. The second is next to the cafe and was also full of cars, except for a few disabled bay spaces. The final area is at top overlooking the lighthouse, there was a camper van parked there but it was half the size of yours and to be honest this car park was pretty full when we came back. You could also have problems with turning around. All car parks have charges.
heavenlyblu
Cheshire, UK669 contributions
Is there an outdoor eating area at the south stack restaurant where dogs are allowed? Thanks
DeniseJay
Cheltenham, UK38 contributions
Yes, there are benches and tables outside the cafe.
Terri B
Manchester, UK74 contributions
Hello we would like to visit but we have a 2 year old that won't manage all the steps. Can someone please tell me if we drive to the carpark is it necessary to do the steps or is there a good view from the carpark. Thank you x
Jceps
Ormskirk, UK305 contributions
There is a good view from the car park and areas prior to descending the steps
Caroline P
1 contribution
Is the lighthouse open in February? 'Cause we're going there next month. Thank you !
GrahamP113
Witham, UK1,729 contributions
sorry I visited in October so not sure but hopefully you can drive to it if nothing else
Andrew L
Wakefield, UK2 contributions
How much is it for car parking when visiting South Stack Lighthouse?
Meander65866983111
6 contributions
We didnt pay to park. You pay for visiting the lighthouse and descending the steps ! Hope thats helpful ?
We have a 4 month old baby, can we go with her? Is it safe? Can we take the pram?
Chris
Lacanau-Ocean, France29 contributions
Hi,
In a pouch maybe but you'd have to be Superman to get a buggy down and up. I actually wouldn't advise the visit unless you are quite fit and baby is secure against your body.
Can you take dogs?
AWJ58
Holyhead, UK30 contributions
sorry but dogs are not allowed on the island.
fluntie
Stoke-on-Trent, UK95 contributions
Can u go inside this lighthouse? If so what is the charge??
TIA
3ceesrwinners
Chester, UK260 contributions
Yes you can check the web site pricing on there
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Claim your listingSouth Stack Lighthouse - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about South Stack Lighthouse
- Hotels near South Stack Lighthouse:
- (1.76 mi) Blackthorn Farm
- (0.67 mi) South Stack Coastal Retreats
- (3.19 mi) Premier Inn Holyhead
- (3.50 mi) Heatherlea Cottage
- (0.59 mi) Ysbryd Y Mynydd in South Stack
- Restaurants near South Stack Lighthouse:
- (0.36 mi) RSPB South Stack Cafe
- (2.71 mi) The Harbourfront Bistro
- (5.82 mi) Catch 22 Brasserie
- (7.43 mi) Wavecrest Cafe
- (3.93 mi) Sea Shanty Cafe
- Attractions near South Stack Lighthouse:
- (0.34 mi) South Stack Cliffs RSPB Reserve
- (0.58 mi) Holyhead mountain Hut Circles
- (1.57 mi) Holyhead Breakwater Country Park
- (2.36 mi) Coastal Spirit
- (2.44 mi) Anglesey Adventures
South Stack Lighthouse Information
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