Spotlight on Smeaton’s Tower for International Lighthouse Weekend

Plymouth’s iconic Smeaton’s Tower will have some special activities on offer on Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 August for this year’s International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend (ILLW).

ILLW was established in Scotland in 1993 by the Ayr Amateur Radio Group and is held on the third full weekend of August each year. Its aim is to promote public awareness of lighthouses and lightships and their need for preservation and restoration.

In recent years, more than 470 lighthouse stations have taken part from nearly 50 countries.

Local salty seadog musicians Tobacco Road will be playing popular sea shanties inside Smeaton's Tower between 10am and 4.30pm on both days.

For younger visitors there's a lighthouse-themed quiz created by local illustrator Jo Larson-Burnett and a specially designed certificate for climbing all 93 steps and ladders to the Lantern Room at the top.

There is no need to book in advance but standard admission charges apply - these are £2.60 for adults (16 years and over) and £1.30 for children (three to 16 years). Under-threes go free. There are various concessions available, including a £1.60 ticket for students and seniors and a £7.50 family ticket for up to two adults and three children.

For more information about Smeaton’s Tower visit www.plymouth.gov.uk/museums or call 01752 304774.