Lighthouse Explorers

There are many things which make lighthouse keeping seem less than ideal, but mercury poisoning is surely one of the worst risks of the job!Trigger warnings: mercury poisoning (throughout the video), suicide (4:41 - 5:40)Video Chapters:00:00 Introduction00:41 Chapter One: What the h*ck is mercury?01:58 Chapter Two: Why did they put mercury in lighthouses?03:14 Chapter Three: What did mercury do to the lighthouse people?05:58 Chapter Four: Is there still mercury in lighthouses?06:28 Conclusion: Lighthouse keeping is no walk in the park, folks

Welcome back to another episode of the Lighthouse Explorers podcast! This week, I had the great fortune to talk to Ed Peppitt to ask him about his travels around England and Wales. These included cycling 3,500 miles, spotting over 300 lighthouses, and raising over £15,000 for Shift MS.Ed's book, 'The Beacon Bike', is absolutely brilliant. In it, he shares the highs and lows of this huge undertaking. His love and appreciation for the lighthouses jumps off of the page, and he doesn't shy away from the emotional hardships which come with such a challenge. (Ed hadn't ridden a bike in twenty years before completing this endeavour!)I've been keen to get Ed on the podcast for a while, and I am so pleased with how this episode turned out.Enjoy!

I've been gone for a while! Let's catch up! It's been an amazing summer for lighthouse trips, from our group adventures to Southwold and Point of Ayr lighthouses, the cancelled Spurn Point trip and what it taught us, a 1000km cycle ride exploring Ireland’s coastal lights, and a lovely chat with a Leasowe Lighthouse volunteer.

Today we travel to Tynemouth, to delve briefly into the history of its 3 lighthouses.

Today we travel together to Southwold Lighthouse in Suffolk, touching on its unusual placement within the town and its TV fame.If you’re interested in visiting this lighthouse, I’m hosting a group trip on the 28th June 2025. Tickets are available at www.lighthouseexplorers.com.

Ahead of our group trip in June 2025, I discuss the ghostly past of the Point of Ayr Lighthouse. An infamous ghost hunting spot on the North Welsh coast.I hope you enjoy. If you fancy coming along on the trip, please consider signing up to our group trip at www.lighthouseexplorers.com.See you next Sunday for the next episode; we’ll be chatting about Southwold Lighthouse, of ‘Grandpa in my Pocket’ fame.

South Foreland Lighthouse, perched on the white cliffs of Dover, is a beacon of innovation. Built in 1843, it became the world’s first electrically lit lighthouse in 1859, thanks to experiments overseen by Michael Faraday. Later, in 1898, Guglielmo Marconi used it for groundbreaking wireless communication experiments, paving the way for modern radio and the internet.Join our 2025 group trips to explore South Foreland Lighthouse with fellow lighthouse lovers! Visit www.lighthouseexplorers.com to book your spot.

In today's episode, Gerry shares his incredible journey as a lighthouse keeper for over 20 years, highlighting this unique maritime tradition's many highs and challenges. (He was even a keeper on Fastnet during the 1979 yacht disaster!) If you enjoyed this episode and loved hearing from Gerry about his experiences, check out his book: The Lightkeeper!

Welcome to the brand new series: '5-Minute Light(house) Bites. Today's episode dives into the Great Lakes, their graveyard, and of course their lighthouses. If you like the episode, why not check out these resources? Jodie. “Whitefish Point Light Station - Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society.” Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society, 18 Apr. 2023, shipwreckmuseum.com/visit/whitefish-point-light/. rampancyproductions. “Graveyard of the Great Lakes (1988).” YouTube, 7 Nov. 2020, www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbfvFglq5Ek. “Great Lakes Lighthouses.” GREAT LAKES CRUISES, www.greatlakescruises.com/great-lakes-lighthouses.html.

Today’s episode is a little different, as I delve into a recent excursion to Lowestoft lighthouse, and Lowestoft Maritime Museum. With that in mind, I also argue for the importance of local museums and why they should be preserved.

Why should you go lighthouse exploring? Stay tuned!

Hello Lighthouse Explorer! For more information on the next lighthouse group trip, head over www.lighthouseexplorers.com. It’s also a good idea to follow us on Eventbrite so you don’t miss out on events. See you soon Explorer!

Welcome back Lighthouse Explorer! I hope I find you weary from lighthouse travels, but if not... there's a group trip to Beachy Head and Belle Tout on the 12th May! Group trip marketing aside, I hope you enjoy today's episode on lighthouse sustainability. If you're interested in finding out more, I'd recommend looking at the Northern Lighthouse Board's or the Irish Light's website!

The final lighthouse in Great Britain to have keepers, and its story! For additional reading, head over to the Trinity House website for a wealth of information about lighthouse automation and more.

Have you ever wanted to know way too much about Fresnel lenses? Look no further! Just kidding, this barely scratches the surface (but I hope you enjoy it anyway) 🌊 Additional Reading: "Fresnel lens" - Wikipedia "The Lighthouse: The Mystery of the Million Dollar Lens" - Lighthouse Ratings "Augustin-Jean Fresnel and His Invention of the Fresnel Lens" - Engineering and Technology History Wiki "Lost Art of the Fresnel Lens" - National Lighthouse Museum

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to look after a lighthouse? Julian worked as a lighthouse keeper for 20 years, so I sat down with him to talk about his experiences! Enjoy, Lighthouse Explorer 🫶

This little cutie was built in response to the shipwrecks during the Gold Rush era between 1896 and 1899. Supplementary Nuggets of Gold: “Eldred Rock Lighthouse: Alaska’s Maritime Beacon,” Alaska Historical Society. “Shipwrecks and Lighthouses: The Story of Clara Nevada,” Gold Rush Tales. “Marine Life Around Eldred Rock,” Alaska Oceanographic Institute. “The Life and Trials of Lighthouse Keepers,” Lighthouse Keepers Association. “Conserving Alaska’s Lighthouses: The Eldred Rock Case,” National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Welcome back lighthouse explorer! Today's episode covers the heroism of some prominent women in lighthouse keeping history.

Today's very special guest is Geoff Saunders, who applied to become a lighthouse keeper in 1984. We talk about his expectations of becoming a lighthouse keeper, the future of lighthouses, and lighthouses which are special to us.

Lighthouse keeping was dangerous!! Let's discuss.

Cape Wrath Lighthouse... the one who got away...

This is a bitesize overview of Japanese lighthouses! I'll revisit this topic for a deep dive into some of the things I've mentioned here, but this is a little introduction and overview in the meantime.

Welcome Lighthouse Explorer! Today's episode answers questions about how Canadian lighthouses are managed, as well as a ghost story... Enjoy!

This area has had a rich history of lighthouses, starting with Winstanley's Tower which was first lit in 1698. Enjoy this episode... and its kidnappings and fires!

Today's episode is about the thrilling rescue of nine shipwrecked sailors at Longstone Lighthouse.

This lighthouse is just a train wreck, from construction to it's destruction. Enjoy!

Here's a bitesized overview of the history of lighthouses, focusing mainly on the UK, but also lighthouse origins in the Mediterranean!

Welcome back Lighthouse Explorer! Today's episode is about the lighthouses on the Isle of Wight, along with their history and lore. Enjoy!

Hey Lighthouse Explorer! Listen to today's episode to find out about the Nab Tower lighthouse in Portsmouth, UK!

Hello Lighthouse Explorer! Today we're delving into the history of Cape Elizabeth Light, and the shipwreck of the schooner 'Australia'.

Hey Lighthouse Explorer! Are you ready, steady, cook for the final instalment of the Lighthouse tour journey?! In today's episode, we'll be discussing: - Scotland's Lighthouse Museum + Kinnaird Head Lighthouse - Strathy Point Lighthouse - Stoer Lighthouse - Corran Point Lighthouse - Turnberry Lighthouse Enjoy!

Hey Lighthouse Explorers! This is the first part of the Scottish lighthouse roadtrip, where I'll be touching on St Abb's Head Lighthouse, Bass Rock Lighthouse, Girdleness Lighthouse, Buchan Ness Lighthouse, and Rattray Head Lighthouse. A special thanks to Felix, for being the camera man for this trip (and the biggest Lighthouse Explorer of them all).

Today we touch on Isles of Scilly Lighthouses, including a brief overview of the Douglass family! We'll be on the road next week for a special Scottish lighthouse road trip, follow along on www.lighthouseexplorers.com if you feel so inclined!

Welcome back Lighthouse Explorer! Today, we're discussing the good, the bad, and the slimey at Flatholm Lighthouse. I'll be going on tour of Scottish lighthouses next week, you can follow along on the adventure here: Website - www.lighthouseexplorers.com TikTok - @lighthouseexplorers YouTube - @fullmoonsandgoldfish

Today's episode of Lighthouse Explorers explores Whaleback Light, and its history. This includes the incredible exploits of Captain Walter S. Ames, a legend in lighthouse history for his courage.

Hello Lighthouse Explorer! Welcome to today's visit to Thridrangaviti + Nordurgardi Lighthouses in Iceland. We'll look into the history of these lighthouses, and share a whimsical tale of these two towers.

Welcome back, Lighthouse Explorer! Today we're discussing Polish lighthouses, and the spooky tale of the 'Ghost Ship of Puck Bay'.

Welcome back Lighthouse Explorer! Today, we have a tragic tale about one of the lighthouse keepers of North Island Lighthouse, as well as the lighthouse's history of construction.

Welcome back Lighthouse Explorer! Today's episode is about Trinity Buoy Wharf lighthouse in London. This lighthouse may never have been operational, but it's been invaluable for developing tech, and training lighthouse keepers.

Hi Lighthouse Explorer! I've maybe had too many allergy meds but this seemed very funny in my head. Enjoy some lighthouse AI-generated content which entertained me! We'll be back tomorrow with regular educational content, I promise.

Today's Lighthouse Explorers episode is about Crich Stand in the Peak District! This war memorial/lighthouse wannabe is positioned far from any ocean or seafarers. Someone I love very much is currently exploring in the Peak District, so now we're all joining him in spirit!

We're in the States again for today's episode. This episode covers the Portland Head Lighthouse, its history, the Annie C. Maguire shipwreck, and more. Enjoy, Lighthouse Explorer!

Welcome back Lighthouse Explorer! Thank you for joining us today, we'll be talking about ghost stories being part and parcel with lighthouse lore.

Treasure Island, whisky, lighthouses, and more. What else could you possibly want?! Today we're exploring Muckle Flugga lighthouse, which is positioned at the northern point of the isle of Unst in Scotland.

Today’s episode is about the most landlocked lighthouse in the world, according to the Guinness Book of World Records: Bidston Lighthouse, Merseyside.

Hello Lighthouse Explorer! Today’s bite sized episode covers the ultimate demise of the Cape Henlopen Lighthouse in the USA.

Welcome back Lighthouse Explorer! Today we're exploring the Great Lakes lighthouses and discussing some of their ghost stories.

Hey Lighthouse Explorer! Today we'll be discussing the history and ghost stories surrounding the St Augustine Lighthouse in Florida, United States of America.

Welcome back Lighthouse Explorer! Today we're chatting about three organisations which come up a lot in the podcast, as they look after Scottish, English, Welsh and North American lighthouses.

Welcome back Lighthouse Explorer! Here's another episode for you, this time based around South Stack Lighthouse on an island off of Wales, called Anglesey.