Roker Lighthouse: Sunderland’s Beacon by the Sea

At the mouth of the River Wear stands Roker Lighthouse, a beautifully built granite tower that has watched over Sunderland’s harbour for more than a hundred years. Completed in 1903, it was designed by Thomas Meik and constructed using interlocking granite blocks shipped from Aberdeen. Its striking red and white bands make it instantly recognisable, a visual anchor for generations of sailors, shipbuilders, and seaside visitors.

The lighthouse was originally lit by a paraffin vapour burner producing a brilliant white flash visible for up to 15 miles. When it was decommissioned in the late 20th century, it became a cherished symbol rather than a working tool — a monument to the city’s industrial strength and maritime pride. In 2018, restoration work brought the lighthouse and pier back to life, reopening the walkway to the public after many years of closure.

Today, the pier is a place for calm reflection and big skies. On stormy days, waves crash against the stone with power and poetry; on calm mornings, it’s a peaceful path out into the sea, where you can feel both the history and the horizon stretching endlessly ahead.