Eddystone Lighthouse

The Eddystone Rocks, 14 miles south of Plymouth, have been the site of five different lighthouses since 1698, claiming the lives of numerous builders and keepers. The most famous ghost is that of Henry Winstanley, the eccentric engineer who designed and built the first two lighthouses on the site. Winstanley was killed when his second lighthouse was destroyed during the Great Storm of November 1703, the worst storm in British history. His spirit is said to haunt the reef, appearing as a gentleman in period dress inspecting the current lighthouse structure.

Lighthouse keepers stationed at Eddystone before automation reported encounteringInstanley’s ghost, particularly during storms. He appears in the lantern room or on the gallery, gesturing toward the sea as if warning of approaching danger. Some keepers reported hearing his voice over the wind, shouting instructions about lighthouse maintenance or storm preparations. The sound of construction work—hammering, sawing, and men shouting—has been heard when the lighthouse is empty, believed to be echoes of the original lighthouse being built.

The current lighthouse, completed in 1882, has its own paranormal history. Keepers reported tools disappearing and reappearing, unexplained knocking following them up and down the spiral stairs, and the sensation of someone standing just behind them when alone. One keeper in the 1930s reported seeing a ghostly work crew building an invisible structure on the rocks below, only to watch them vanish when a wave crashed over the reef. Maintenance workers visiting the automated lighthouse continue to report strange occurrences, including equipment malfunctions, sudden temperature drops, and the feeling of being observed by unseen eyes. Many believe Winstanley’s dedication to his creation keeps his spirit bound to the Eddystone Reef, eternally vigilant over the lighthouse that replaced his own.