Island 169 - Mumbles Head, Swansea, Wales

Mumbles Head is a small rocky island located 100 metres to the south east of Middle Head and about 300 metres south east of the mainland.   It is separated from Middle Head by a tidal channel called Outer Sound.   It is accessible for no more than about 2 hours either side of low tide across a rocky and sandy beach.  The island rises to a height of 22 metres and there are concrete steps all the way from the beach to the summit.

The main feature on the island is the lighthouse.  There are also the remains of lookout posts and buildings from various wars since 1860.  Wildflowers like thrift and birds foot trefoil were flowering in abundance when I was there in June 2012.  I had the island to myself, which is always a good feeling, although there were some men looking for something (shellfish?) on the nearby beach.  Islands with lighthouses always rank highly in my estimation and Mumbles Head Lighthouse has an unusual but aesthetically pleasing design.

The lighthouse was designed by local architect William Jernegan and was completed in 1794.  It was put there to warn ships away from Mixon Shoal half a mile to the south.  It originally had 2 open coal fired lights, one above the other, to distinguish it from St Ann's Head and Flat Holm Lighthouses.    This is why it is such an unusual shape.  The coal fired lights were replaced in 1799 by an oil powered light.   It was automated in 1934.  The lighthouse was originally built by the Swansea Harbour Trustees.  In 1975 responsibility for it passed from the British Transport Docks Board to Trinity House.  In 1995 it was converted to solar power.

 Mumbles Lighthouse

 Mumbles Lighthouse
 - looking beautiful silhouetted against a cobalt blue sky

 Wartime Lookout on Mumbles Head

 Mumbles Head and Middle Head from Bracelet Bay



Mumbles Head from Middle Head

A few more minutes to wait before the causeway is clear of water.

 

Looking towards Middle Head and Mumbles Pier.



Waiting for the tide to go out - Middle Head with Mumbles Head beyond