St Anthony's Head is situated at the southernmost tip of the Roseland Peninsula in Cornwall, overlooking the entrance to one of the world's largest natural harbours, Carrick Roads and the estuary of the River Fal. Set at the eastern entrance to the harbour, it guides vessels clear of the Manacles rocks which lie south of the harbour entrance.
From the seventeenth century, rudimentary navigational aids were employed at the site, the Killigrew family flying a large red flag from an elm tree to denote wind direction. However this was removed in 1779 to avoid it offering assistance to invading fleets.
St. Anthony's Lighthouse was built by Trinity House in 1835. Up to 1954 the lighthouse possessed a huge bell, as a fog signal, which hung outside the tower. It was replaced by a modern fog horn positioned 10.7 metres above high water level on a platform. In the same year the lighthouse was connected to mains electricity. The lighthouse was automated in 1987.
By road: Off A 3078, via Military Road south of St. Mawes. There is also a very attractive coastal path around the peninsula which can be joined in the summer by a ferry from St. Mawes at Place House, near the church of St. Anthony.
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