South Stack Lighthouse, Holyhead, Wales, UK Mar 29, 2024

South Stack Lighthouse, Holyhead, Wales, UK

Built on the rugged cliffs of Holy Island, Wales, the South Stack Lighthouse stands watch over the deep waters of the Irish Sea. The 28-metres-tall white tower has guided sailors since its completion in 1809; it provides safe passage for ships on the Dublin-Holyhead-Liverpool route. When it was built, sperm whale oil was used to light the lamps; however, over the years, the mechanism has been upgraded to more advanced technology like LED bulbs and Fresnel lenses. Automated in 1984, the lighthouse continues to serve as a vital navigational aid, with its powerful beam shining up to 44 kilometres. As the sun sets and the sky fills with colours, the silhouette of the South Stack Lighthouse in the dusk makes for a stunning sight. Visitors brave the 400-step descent down the steep cliff face to explore the lighthouse, including its engine room and exhibition area.

© mariotlr/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

Check out these ‘sea cows’
Mar 29, 2025Superbloom in Carrizo Plain National Monument, California, United States

More Desktop Wallpapers:

When only a hug will do
Dec 7, 2024Orchha Fort complex, Orchha, Madhya Pradesh
Jan 23, 2025Sundance Film Festival
Spiralling upward...
Let there be lights!
Sep 1, 2025Great Basin National Park, Nevada, United States
Mar 28, 2024Cherry blossoms in Shanghai, China
Cascade in the City of Waterfalls
Colours of Colorado
A proud symbol of the City of Nizams
The ‘Old Bridge,’ reborn
Apr 3, 2024Munnar, Kerala
Where we go to play
Pride and Joy
Jan 23, 2026Þorrablót, Icelandic midwinter festival
A bridge that holds up history
Nov 19, 2023Alam-Pedja Nature Reserve, Estonia
A train journey to remember
Sep 21, 2023International Day of Peace
Feb 8, 2026Corfu at night, Greece
Jun 28, 2025Anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising
Apr 17, 2024Rama Navami
Oct 22, 2025Belogradchik Rocks, Bulgaria
May 16, 2024International Day of Light
Sep 1, 2024River Thames, London, England
Aug 22, 2024Aerial view of Ocean City, Maryland, USA
Jan 12, 2024Bukhansan National Park, South Korea
Nothing says ‘San Francisco’ quite like...
Peek-a-boo, I see you!
Jun 12, 2025Chisos Mountains, Big Bend National Park, Texas, United States