La Corbiere Lighthouse

La Corbiere plants its white tower on a reef off the island's southwestern corner - the first lighthouse in the British Isles built of concrete (1874), and Jersey's most photographed object by open margins: at low tide a causeway crosses the rocks to the tower's base, at high tide the sea reclaims the path (a siren traditionally warns dawdlers), and at sunset the composition of tower, reef and burning sky performs its nightly service for every camera on the island. Cliff paths run the headland's heather, the German-era towers add their stark counterpoints, and the moment the causeway floods remains the classic lesson in tide respect.

History

The rocks and great tides of this coast have caused many shipwrecks, among them that of the mail packet Express on 20 September 1859, and opposite the old railway platform stands La Table des Marthes, a megalith once used as a place to witness contracts (Wikipedia, La Corbière Lighthouse).

What you'll find

• The tower on its reef - the 1874 concrete pioneer.
• The tidal causeway - the low-water walk to the base.
• The sunset ritual - the island's nightly photograph.
• The headland paths - heather cliffs around the point.

When to go

Year round; sunset is the appointment and low tide the access - the tide tables schedule both. Winter storms stage the tower in spray theatre.

Practical notes

The causeway floods fast and the siren is not decoration - tide discipline is absolute; the rocks shred flip-flops. The tower interior stays closed - the visit is the setting.

Nearby

St Brelade's Bay, the Railway Walk path and Corbiere's headland batteries.

Key facts