Contrary Life

Contrary Life is a website covering quirky events across the UK.

  • Home
  • About
  • Events by region
    • North East
    • North West
    • Yorkshire
    • East Midlands
    • West Midlands
    • East
    • London
    • South East
    • South West
    • Scotland
    • Northern Ireland
    • Wales
Home > Curiosity of the week > Curiosity of the week: the only lighthouse in London

Curiosity of the week: the only lighthouse in London

By Caroline King - December 4, 2012Posted in : Curiosity of the week, FEATURED-STORIES, Heritage

Lighthouse at Trinity Buoy Wharf, London

London’s only lighthouse

London’s only lighthouse, also known as Bow Creek Lighthouse can be found at Trinity Buoy Wharf in East London.

Originally one of two lighthouses, it was built in the 1860s by James Douglass for Trinity House.  Trinity House is the General Lighthouse Authority (GLA) for England, Wales and the Channel Islands; providing  navigation aids including lighthouses.

The surviving lighthouse was used for lighting trials for Trinity House, as well as training lighthouse keepers.  Perhaps most interestingly it was the place where Michael Faraday carried out experiments.

These days Urban Space Holdings use the site as space for arts and the lighthouse is no exception.  At the moment it is home to Jem Finer’s sound installation Longplayer.  Running since the 31st December 1999, Longplayer is a continuous musical composition that will run until 2999.  The lighthouse and the Longplayer are free of charge to visit.

More info: www.trinitybuoywharf.com and longplayer.org

Related Posts

  • The first cinema in Britain
  • The Charterhouse
  • Linen Hall Library
  • The Crooked Spire
  • The London Stone

Tagged With: Bow Creek Lighthouse, Curiosity of the week, London, London events, Longplayer, Trinity Buoy Wharf

Trackbacks

  1. Bloomsbury Festival 2013 - Contrary Life says:
    October 5, 2013 at 08:30

    […] of a lonely pianist visited by a strange presence in the night.  The piece was first performed at Trinity Buoy Wharf in London by six professional dancers and 20 dancers-in-training, with live musical accompaniment […]

Curiosity of the Week

Woodhenge, Stonehenge’s lesser-known neighbour
Woodhenge - ©English Heritage, Historic England Photo Library

You have heard of Stonehenge in Wiltshire, but have you heard of its lesser known neighbour, Woodhenge? Find out more in our latest Curiosity of the Week…

Top Story

HandleBards hit the pedals again to bring you a summer of outdoor theatre
HandleBards A Midsummer Night's Dream ©Rah Petherbridge Photography

The HandleBards are a Shakespearean troupe who tour by bike. And to celebrate their 10th anniversary, they’re climbing back into the saddle…

What are you looking for today?

  • Alternative Sport
  • Art
  • Cabaret and Circus
  • Cinema
  • Classes, Workshops & Talks
  • Club Night
  • Comedy
  • Dance
  • Exhibitions and Installations
  • Fairs and Markets
  • Festival
  • Food & Drink
  • Heritage and History
  • Interview
  • Literature
  • Museum
  • Music
  • Nature and Outdoors
  • Review
  • Science and Technology
  • Theatre
  • Walks and Tours

Sign up to our Newsletter

Copyright © 2023 · Contrary Life