Godrevy
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Godrevy is a locality in Cornwall, United Kingdom (grid reference SW581431) and lies on the eastern rim of St Ives Bay about three miles north-east of the town of Hayle. The most prominent local feature is Godrevy Lighthouse which was built on Godrevy Island in 1858–1859. The rocks beyond the island (known as "The Stones") had always been a hazard to shipping and a lighthouse had been considered many times prior to 1858 but nothing ever came of any plans. The spur to action came when the SS Nile was wrecked in 1854 with the loss of all on board.
The lighthouse is a white octagonal tower, 86 feet (26m) high and made of rubble-stone and mortar. The original light was a revolving white one, with a fixed red light below the main light, which could be seen over a 45-degree arc when a ship was in danger of the reef. This was later replaced by a red sector on the main light itself.
Originally the light was manned by three men at a time, but in 1934 the lighthouse was made automatic. The light flashes white/red every 10 seconds with the red sector only being visible in the arc of danger from the reef. The range of the light is around 12 miles.
The lighthouse is said to have been the inspiration for Virginia Woolf to write To the Lighthouse when she saw it across the bay while visiting St Ives, though in the book she relocates the lighthouse elsewhere.
The beach at Godrevy is considered to be one of the best surfing beaches in Cornwall and is also popular with windsurfers and sand yachts. It is now owned by the National Trust.
