Gorleston Lighthouse

Gorleston Lighthouse stands at the end of the South Pier at Gorleston-on-Sea, marking the entrance to the River Yare and the busy harbour approach to Great Yarmouth. The compact, white-painted tower was built in the 19th century to guide fishing boats, coasters and, later, offshore support vessels safely between the piers, and it remains an active navigational aid today.

Visitors can't go inside, but the walk out along the pier is the real draw. You'll pass anglers, dog walkers and, on most days, a steady procession of tugs, gas-industry supply ships and pleasure craft heading in and out of the harbour. From the pier head there are wide views back to Gorleston's cliff-top promenade, the sandy beach curving north, and the wind farms on the horizon out to sea.

The lighthouse pairs naturally with a wander along Gorleston's Edwardian seafront, a stop at one of the cafés on the Lower Esplanade, or a walk south along the clifftop towards Hopton. In rough weather the pier is often closed for safety, and even on calmer days the seaward end can be very windy, so wrap up and watch your footing on wet steps and railings.