De-lightful! See Smeaton’s Tower in a new light

Plymouth’s iconic Smeaton’s Tower is to be lit up in all its glory for the first time on Wednesday evening.

The lighthouse on the Hoe will be in the spotlight as the new LED lights get switched on.

From Wednesday night, a white light will shine on the lighthouse whose design became the template for lighthouses across the world.

A dozen powerful LED lamps have been embedded into the pavement around the tower. Inside, lamps have been installed in the lantern and two slim strips of LED lights have been installed to illuminate the outside of the lantern, so that the whole tower will be visible at night.

The lights will be on every evening and coloured lights will be used for special occasions and events.

Councillor Peter Smith, deputy leader of the Council said: “We’re shining a light on Plymouth’s most famous landmark. Smeaton’s Tower is the symbol of Britain’s Ocean City and will rightly be in the spotlight every night.

“More and more businesses are now open on our stunning waterfront; it is a place where people like to stroll in the evening and we think it is important that this magnificent landmark gets seen at night as well as during the day.”

Chris Arscott, chair of the Plymouth Waterfront Partnership and Destination Plymouth Director added: “We are really delighted to see this happen. This is one of the city’s key attractions and as we encourage more visitors to come to Plymouth, it makes absolute sense that they get to see this icon in all its glory, whatever time they visit.”

The installation, which took just over a week, was carried out by LITE and Hyde Park Electricals, could only take place once listed building planning permission had been given and technical trials carried out.

Once the contractors have completed Smeaton’s, they will move across to Charles Cross Church at the top of Exeter Street where new LED lighting will replace the current lighting to provide a more intense lighting display of the church. 

Designed by John Smeaton in 1759, the lighthouse is a Grade I listed building which stood on the infamous Eddystone Rock, before being moved to Plymouth Hoe in 1882.

Smeaton’s Tower features on Ocean City branding as well as numerous other reproductions that promote Plymouth as a historic and contemporary maritime city and a tourist destination.