It is one of only two lighthouses in the UK built on wooden stilts.
The lighthouse was built to assist ships navigating the dangerous sandbanks of the River Parrett.
It is technically known as the 'Low' lighthouse because it operates as a pair with the 'High' lighthouse to form a leading light system.
The tide in the Bristol Channel can rise and fall by up to 14 meters, necessitated the stilted architectural design.
It was deactivated in 1993 after modern electronic navigation equipment rendered it obsolete for commercial shipping.
The structure is listed by Historic England for its architectural and maritime historical significance.
Burnham-on-Sea Low Lighthouse is a distinctive Grade II listed building constructed in 1832, uniquely elevated on nine wooden piles to allow the tide to flow beneath it. Designed by Joseph Nelson, the lighthouse stands 36 feet tall and is clad in white-painted timber. It served as a vital navigational aid for the River Parrett estuary, working in tandem with the taller High Lighthouse located further inland. Unlike traditional lighthouses, its pile-based structure accommodates the extreme tidal range of the Bristol Channel, which is among the highest in the world. Although deactivated as a primary navigational aid in 1993, it remains a recognized landmark maintained by the local council. The structure features a small lantern room at the top, previously housing a catoptric lighting system. It is situated directly on the sandy beach, meaning it is only accessible on foot during low tide. The building remains a focal point of the town’s maritime heritage.
From the shoreline looking up toward the structure to emphasize the contrast between the wooden piles and the sky.
Check local tide tables carefully before arrival; the lighthouse is surrounded by water at high tide.
Wear waterproof footwear, as the sand surrounding the piles remains wet and muddy even after the tide recedes.
Visit during a 'spring tide' if you want to see the water come right up to the stilts, but maintain a safe distance.
Attempting to reach the structure during an incoming tide, as the water rises extremely quickly in this estuary.
The structure is not open to the public for interior access; it is a exterior-view landmark only.
