Inside Outside

One of the most photographed scenes in the whole of Norfolk must be the lighthouse at Happisburgh. People go there to capture pictures of it, either with a camera or with a box of watercolours and an easel at all times of day and in all sorts of weather. I have been there when it is windy, when it is foggy, in the morning and as the sun goes down.

Happisburgh lighthouse is unique in as much as it is the only independently run lighthouse in the UK. Apart from Happisburgh all the other lighthouses fall under the control of Trinity House, but in the late 1980’s the powers that be wanted to dispense with Happisburgh – however the locals decided they wanted to keep it, so the building and its light are now independently maintained and operated.

Night after night Happisburgh lighthouse still sends out its visual message 3  flashes every 30 seconds. The light is visible up to 18 miles offshore.

All these gobbets of information I picked up from the gentleman who I suspect is the main operator of the light Patrick Tubby, because, as you may have already guessed, last weekend I joined a tour of people visiting the inside of the building.

Reason? Well it wasn’t because I wanted to climb the 96 steps up to a sort of top access platform or indeed to go up to where the light itself is housed. My interest was slightly more contrived. I wanted to assess whether or not the inside of the lighthouse might be or interest to groups of photographers who enjoy visiting unusual places.

I’m not really prepared to give a final verdict on my conclusion to photographic opportunities inside, but I would say that for the average tourist it is quite different from any other holiday visit one might decide to make and can recommend the experience. There are good views from the top (albeit through glass), the mechanism of the light itself is fascinating and very photogenic and great efforts are being made by the “Friends of Happisbugh Lighthouse” to market interesting literature and even certificates for those who make it to the top and back. Fair do’s if the cost of running the light relies on donations one may as well encourage those who visit to cough up.

I felt that perhaps it was a shame that the lighthouse was only open to visitors four Sundays each year and I struggled to find a date in my diary to coincide with what they were offering. However private tours for groups may be arranged.  

As always I hope you like the pictures. There is no restriction about taking shots inside, but I decided to use my little point and shoot RX100 – no tripod. Not sure how welcome that would have been in a crowded space. However I suspect I shall be back again.

Have a good weekend