The seafront at Plymouth
The seafront at Plymouth only has the tiniest of beaches but it has a wonderful view of Plymouth Sound and Drake's Island. There are terraced gardens here, a wonderful art deco swimming pool and several cafes, while the Hoe, part of which is seen on the right, overlooks the area.
The Hoe is dominated by an 18th century lighthouse which was designed by the celebrated civil engineer John Smeaton, and which formerly guarded the Eddystone Rocks, some 14 miles off the coast. A major step forward in lighthouse design, Smeaton's structure was in use from 1759 to 1877, Initially lit by 24 large candles. These were replaced by oil lamps and reflectors in 1810.
By 1877 the rock on which the lighthouse stood had started to crack and it became unstable. Large waves caused the lighthouse to sway from side to side. The top part of the tower was dismantled in 1882 and rebuilt on Plymouth Hoe in Plymouth, Devon, where it stands today. Known as Smeaton's Tower, the former Eddystone lighthouse has now become the symbol of Plymouth.
The seafront at Plymouth
The seafront at Plymouth only has the tiniest of beaches but it has a wonderful view of Plymouth Sound and Drake's Island. There are terraced gardens here, a wonderful art deco swimming pool and several cafes, while the Hoe, part of which is seen on the right, overlooks the area.
The Hoe is dominated by an 18th century lighthouse which was designed by the celebrated civil engineer John Smeaton, and which formerly guarded the Eddystone Rocks, some 14 miles off the coast. A major step forward in lighthouse design, Smeaton's structure was in use from 1759 to 1877, Initially lit by 24 large candles. These were replaced by oil lamps and reflectors in 1810.
By 1877 the rock on which the lighthouse stood had started to crack and it became unstable. Large waves caused the lighthouse to sway from side to side. The top part of the tower was dismantled in 1882 and rebuilt on Plymouth Hoe in Plymouth, Devon, where it stands today. Known as Smeaton's Tower, the former Eddystone lighthouse has now become the symbol of Plymouth.