Public tours announced to explore the inside of Jersey's 150-year-old Corbière Lighthouse

  • Watch as Jersey guides Tracey Radford and Kary Day show off the iconic landmark on a special tour for ITV Channel's cameras ahead of the public opening

People in Jersey can explore the inside of Corbière Lighthouse as the iconic island landmark opens for paid public tours.

The 150-year-old tower received a fresh coat of paint and was floodlit gold in April to mark its special anniversary.

It comes after Ports of Jersey teamed up with the company Jersey Uncovered to offer two-hour guided tours of the building from August until the end of October.

Visitors will be able to see the original fixtures and fittings along with navigational equipment used throughout the lighthouse's long service.

The 62-foot high lighthouse was the first in the British Isles to be built of concrete.

Mariners still use it today to get around Jersey's tricky coastline and avoid jagged rocks - the site houses a radar station which is critical for modern navigation.

Harbour Master Captain Bill Sadler says: "We hope both islanders and visitors will enjoy viewing this iconic Jersey landmark and finding out more about its rich history."

Tour guide Kary Day adds: "As you walk through the doors, you can really feel the essence of lighthouse keepers from yesteryear.

"It is absolutely splendid to be able to share it with everybody."

The public tours are for between four and six people and need be booked in advance, children must be at least eight-years-old.

Private visits are also offered for groups of between two and six.

All tour dates have now sold out, although organisers say more options will be released soon.

Corbière Lighthouse: Key Dates

🔨 1873: First Construction

  • A lighthouse was planned to allow ships to plot safe routes in Jersey's waters, as the area was known for shipwrecks.

  • The lighthouse tower was built to be 19m (62ft) high and the lamp stands 36m (119ft) above high-water spring tides.

  • It was the first lighthouse in the British Isles to be built of concrete, constructed by Imrie Bell to the designs of civil engineer Sir John Coode.

💡 1874: First lighting

  • Corbière was first lit on 24 April 1874.

  • The beam can stretch 25 km and was fully automated in 1976.

  • Four keepers were tasked with working two-day shifts to keep the lighthouse in operation.

🇩🇪 1939-1945 Under German Occupation

  • On 4 September 1939, the light was dimmed and then extinguished in June 1940 during the Second World War.

  • The German military re-purposed light railways running between La Corbière and Saint Aubin to supply coastal fortifications.

  • Clockwork mechanisms were also installed in the lighthouse.

  • The lighthouse was relit following the Second World War on 19 May 1945.

⛑️ 1946: Peter Edwin Larbalestier plaque

  • On 28 May 1946, a visitor was cut off at the lighthouse due to the incoming tide.

  • Assistant keeper of the lighthouse, Peter Edwin Larbalestier, attempted to rescue the man but died in the attempt.

  • A plaque on the causeway commemorates Peter.

🛳️ 1995: Rescue from the Saint-Malo

  • On Monday 17 April 1995, a French catamaran named Saint-Malo struck a rock known as La Frouquie 900 metres north of the lighthouse.

  • Emergency services were called and all 307 passengers were saved from the partially-sunken vessel.

  • In April 1997, a monument was sculpted by Derek Tristram and placed on the headland overlooking the lighthouse to commemorate the rescue.

🔦 2019: Upgrades

  • In October 2019, specialised contractors removed hazardous materials from the site, such as mercury and asbestos.

  • The optic was upgraded, and an LED light replaced the old electric lamp.

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