South Stack Lighthouse, Holyhead, Wales, UK Mar 29, 2024

South Stack Lighthouse, Holyhead, Wales, UK

Built on the rugged cliffs of Holy Island, Wales, the South Stack Lighthouse stands watch over the deep waters of the Irish Sea. The 28-metre-tall white tower has guided sailors since its completion in 1809; it provides safe passage for ships on the Dublin-Holyhead-Liverpool route. When it was built, sperm whale oil was used to light the lamps; however, over the years, the mechanism has been upgraded to more advanced technology like LED bulbs and Fresnel lenses. Automated in 1984, the lighthouse continues to serve as a vital navigational aid, with its powerful beam shining up to 45 kilometres. As the sun sets and the sky fills with colours, the silhouette of the South Stack Lighthouse in the dusk makes for a stunning sight. Visitors brave the 400-step descent down the steep cliff face to explore the lighthouse, including its engine room and exhibition area.

© mariotlr/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

Mar 29, 2025Superbloom in Carrizo Plain National Monument, California, United States

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Jan 1, 2026Arctic fox
Sep 3, 2025Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness
Mar 18, 2025Red Rocks, Sedona, Arizona, United States
Nov 3, 2023Pacific sea nettle jellyfish
Jun 3, 2024Bicycles in Copenhagen, Denmark
Dec 4, 2024Male white rhinoceroses
May 7, 2024Duckling in a water meadow, Suffolk, England
May 30, 2024Everglades National Park, Florida, USA
Jun 16, 2024Red fox father and kit, Washington, USA
Feb 9, 2026Amur leopard cat, Russia
Jan 19, 2026Abraham Lake, Alberta, Canada
Oct 14, 2024Coco Beach, Goa, India
Nov 29, 2023Schwerin Castle on Lake Schwerin, Germany
Dec 3, 2024Amber Fort, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
Aug 29, 2025Aerial view of Plaza Mayor, Madrid, Spain
Apr 21, 2025Joshua trees under the Milky Way, California, United States
Jan 20, 2026Gentoo penguin, Petermann Island, Antarctica
Dec 25, 2024Lakes of Covadonga, Asturias, Spain
Dec 2, 2024Moose, Denali National Park, Alaska, United States
Jan 10, 2025Abraham Lake, Alberta, Canada
Oct 30, 2024Gran Paradiso National Park, Italy
Jan 22, 2024Walton Lighthouse, Santa Cruz, California, USA
Oct 31, 2024Edinburgh Castle, Scotland, United Kingdom
Aug 23, 2025Greater flamingos, Camargue Regional Nature Park, France
Sep 27, 2024Basilica of Santa Maria della Salute, Venice, Italy
Jul 28, 2025Yurts in Mongolia
Jan 17, 2025Brown pelican, San Diego, California, United States
Mar 12, 2025Château de Sully-sur-Loire, Centre-Val de Loire, France
May 9, 2025Common chameleon
Jul 25, 2025Colourful houses of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain