Bishop Rock Lighthouse (Cornwall)

Information
Bishop Rock Lighthouse stands on a rock ledge 46m long by 16m wide, 4 miles west of the Scilly Isles. The rocks rise sheer from a depth of 45m and are exposed to the full force of the Atlantic Ocean making this one of the most hazardous and difficult sites for the building of a lighthouse.
The rocks around the Scilly Isles caused the wreck of many ships over the years including the loss of Sir Cloudesley Shovel’s squadron of the British Fleet in 1707 in which 2,000 men died. The Elder Brethren of Trinity House decided that the lighting of the Scilly Isles, which at that time consisted of only the old lighthouse at St. Agnes, was inadequate, and resolved to build a lighthouse on the most westerly danger, the Bishop Rock.
7 Day Weather Forecast
Our weather forecast for Isles of Scilly in Cornwall is split into two widgets. The first shows a timeline containing temperature, wind, sunrise/sunset and chance of rain, whilst the second shows the forecast for the week ahead including severe weather alerts when available.
You may also like ...
In this 'you may also like' section we attempt to answer what else can I do? Here you have a list by order of being the closest some more beaches, things to see and do, places to eat and upcoming events.
- Periglis Beach
  7.28 km
  
  No Reviews
  Favorite
  Periglis Beach is a curving sandy beach on the northwest side of St Agnes that forms a natural harbour. The beach provides safe swimming and on lower tides has many rockpools to explore. The island just offshore is Burnt Island which can be reached by a rocky spit at low tide. The beach has two slipways where one used to be for the St Agnes lifeboat station.
- Beady Pool Beach
  7.72 km
  
  No Reviews
  Favorite
  Beady Pool Beach is a remote beach located on the south of St Agnes and faces east although the island is very narrow here and you have the option of going to Porth Askin just behind which is westerly facing. The beach is not brilliant sand but is a mix of sand and rocks backed by heathland that is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). The name is thought to come from the beads washed up from a 17th-century Venetian shipwreck that was carrying ceramic beads. The beach has no facilities.
- Cove Vean Beach
  7.92 km
  
  No Reviews
  Favorite
  Cove Vean Beach is a sandy sheltered cove on the eastern side of St Agnes just below the sandbar that leads to Gugh. The beach is a great place for swimming and snorkelling due to the sheltered waters., The beach has no facilities.
- The Bar Beach
  8.17 km
  
  No Reviews
  Favorite
  The Bar beach is a small sandbar that joins St. Agnes to the island of Gugh. The beach disappears at high tide but when available the two bays either side are sheltered and ideal for swimming and snorkelling. St. Agnes is small and everything is within walking distance although you still have only a choice of a few cafes and a small shop.
- Samson
  9.41 km
  
  No Reviews
  Favorite
  Samson is the largest uninhabited island in the Isles of Scilly that has some former stone cottages used when it was inhabited until 1855. Samson has two hills simply known as the North Hill and the South Hill and some good sandy beaches. The island, along with the nearby islands of Green Island, Puffin Island, Stony Island, and White Island was designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) for their biological characteristics and is a protected wildlife site. Boat trips to Samson are regularly available May through September although there are no amenities or services available, but guided walks are led by local experts.
- Garrison
  9.63 km
  
  No Reviews
  Favorite
  The Garrison peninsula above Porthcressa Beach at the rear of Hugh Town on St. Mary’s. Paths take you around the peninsula and you can well understand the strategic importance of the garrison. As you walk you will see the walls, various battery locations and the castle.
- Porthcressa Beach
  10.38 km
  
  No Reviews
  Favorite
  Porthcressa beach is a sandy beach located within Hugh Town on the Scilly Isles. It is the southern and sandiest of the two Hugh Town beaches. The water in Porthcressa Bay is a gentle slope and good for swimming and snorkelling. Facilities include promenade, toilets, cafe, no lifeguards.
- Rushy Bay Beach
  10.58 km
  
  No Reviews
  Favorite
  Rushy Bay beach is white sandy and on the southern tip of Bryher. Bryher is the smallest of the five inhabited islands of the Isles of Scilly. Looking out to sea and you have the Samson and Puffin Islands, while to the east, over Hangman Island, is Tresco. No facilities listed. We have no dog information for Rushy Bay beach.
- Great Par Beach
  10.59 km
  
  No Reviews
  Favorite
  Great Par Beach is a semi-circular sandy beach with some rocks on the west coast of Bryher and is also sometimes referred to as Great Porth after the bay. The beach is more rugged than the calmer eastern coast and this is just about as west as you can go in England, with the exception of some of the rocky islands you can see. A great place for sunsets and watching visits from seals. Bryher is only a small island and so you have access to a shop and food.
- Hugh Town Beach
  10.72 km
  
  No Reviews
  Favorite
  Hugh Town has two beaches with this one being not as sandy as it’s southerly neighbour Porthcressa beach. This means most visitors to Hugh Town head the short distance to Porthcressa. Facilities include car parking, slipway, and breakwater. We have no dog information for Hugh Town beach.
- Penninis Lighthouse
  10.74 km
  
  No Reviews
  Favorite
  Peninnis Lighthouse on St Mary’s Island in the Scilly Isles is a small automatic lighthouse consisting of a metal tower, the upper part painted white and the lower part and cupola painted black. This lighthouse was established in 1911 when it superseded the lighthouse on St Agnes which had been in operation since 1680.
- St Marys lifeboat station
  10.77 km
  
  No Reviews
  Favorite
  St Marys lifeboat station was established in 1837 and operates an all weather lifeboat. Station is open daily.
View all
Where can I stay ...
Featured Accommodation
- Star Castle Hotel
  10.1 km
  
  No Reviews
  Favorite
  Star Castle Hotel is just a short 5-minute walk from Hugh Town and the beach. The hotel is nestled on the Garrison, it offers breathtaking views of the surrounding islands. The hotel offers free Wi-Fi for all guests, a heated indoor swimming pool, complimentary golf and tennis.
- The Atlantic
  10.34 km
  
  No Reviews
  Favorite
  The Atlantic is a 1-minute walk from the beach. On the beautiful Hugh Town seafront of St Mary’s Island, The Atlantic offers bright, individually decorated rooms and fresh, seasonal food. The ferry terminal is just 5 minutes’ walk away and operates to and from Penzance.
- St Marys Hall Hotel
  10.71 km
  
  No Reviews
  Favorite
  St Marys Hall Hotel is set in Hugh Town, St Marys and the hotel features a garden and free WiFi throughout the property. With a shared lounge, the property also has a bar and guests can make use of on-site dining.
- Karma St. Martin’s
  14.53 km
  
  No Reviews
  Favorite
  Karma St. Martin’s is a 1-minute walk from the beach and is just 40 yards from the beachfront in St Martins. This charming property features a spa, bar and restaurant, and offers rooms with sea views. Each bright room has an attractive decoration with nautical touches and all rooms have free WiFi, heating, a flat-screen TV, and tea and coffee-making facilities.
Booking.com interactive map
Booking.com
What do others think ...
Leave a Review Cancel reply
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
Review text
Select a rating
Name *
Email *
Website