Less than a year after a major restoration, St Mary's Lighthouse has unveiled new exhibitions and activities that shine a light on its rich history and local wildlife.
The extensive refurbishment, completed in October 2024, saw North Tyneside Council invest nearly £900,000 to restore the lighthouse, keeper’s cottages, and visitor centre to their former glory. The work involved repainting, repairing stonework, fixing windows, and restoring key buildings on the island – all carried out with care for its Grade II listed status and vital role in marine conservation.
Now visitors can enjoy a range of new features in the visitor centre, bringing the island’s heritage, natural beauty, and wildlife to life in fresh and engaging ways.
Highlights include:
- An indoor wildlife hide with HD cameras offering close-up views of seals and birds
- A time-lapse display showing tidal movements and views from the tower
- New exhibitions exploring the island’s history, geology, and wildlife
- An interactive vessel finder to identify and track passing ships in real time
- A children’s area called the Little Lighthouse Keepers’ zone, with themed toys, a mini play-lighthouse and submarine
- A virtual lighthouse keeper projection sharing stories of life on the island and day-to-day lighthouse operations
Councillor Carl Johnson, North Tyneside’s Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Regeneration, said: “This lighthouse holds a special place in the hearts of people locally and beyond, and remains one of our most popular attractions, drawing more than 70,000 visitors each year.
“This additional investment will complement the work we carried out last year, and ensure the lighthouse is preserved and brought to life for future generations – both as a historic landmark and as a vibrant centre for education and conservation.
“The visitor centre upgrades are designed to offer an immersive, educational experience for visitors of all ages, and we look forward to showing off these fantastic new spaces.”
From Friday 4 July, visitors paying for lighthouse admission can enjoy all the new exhibitions and activities on offer.