St Mary’s Lighthouse
Our last photographic stop of the day was at St Mary’s Lighthouse which it turned out isn’t in Northumberland! The lighthouse stands on a tiny island linked to the mainland by a concrete causeway. By now we were getting hungry and had our lunch from the food stand in the car park. Less hungry members of the tour had ice cream for the van parked further into the car park.
We set up our tripods next to the causeway to start the serious photography of the lighthouse with reflections.
Outside the lighthouse
The remaining members of the tour were given tickets by Robert to visit the lighthouse.
We looked over the rocks around the island at the seals laying on the rocks below.
The Range Finder
Next to the lighthouse is a pillar of concrete. This was built in 1914 and was used in two world wars to calibrate coastal defence guns.
Inside the lighthouse
At our allotted time we went inside the lighthouse and climbed up the circular staircase , first to the top gallery and then up to the lantern.
Standing by the lantern we had views of the causeway and the car park.
This is the view descending the main staircase.
Before we went into the gift shop we spent time examining the exhibits on the walls.
Curry’s Point
Before we left I found this plaque marking the site of an ancient gibbet just below the car park.
Curry’s Point
On 4th September 1739 Michael Curry was executed for the murder of the landlord of the Three Horseshoes Inn Hartley.
His body was afterwards hung in chains from a gibbet on this spot within sight of the scene of his crime.
Ever since that gruesome event this headland has been known as Curry’s Point.
From my two guide books St Mary’s Lighthouse is on page 63 of The Photographer’s Guide to Northumberland and on page 248 of Photographing Northumberland.
The Bay Horse Country Inn
After saying out goodbyes we left the lighthouse and started our journey South. The car’s sat-nav re-directed us to avoid traffic jams on the A1 and we came to Rainton from the West. We stopped an bought free-range eggs from one of the houses as we drove through the village to the Inn. Our welcome was as friendly as before even considering our mistake of taking the room keys away with us on our earlier stay.
We sat outside again enjoying the sun and having a beer and a chat with the publican, Chris. The bar was packed with locals and guests and we learned that the all the rooms were full. Our evening meal was in the restaurant and we passed the evening chatting to a couple from Iceland who now lived in South London.
After a good night’s sleep (no trucks or vans passing below our windows unlike Bamburgh!) we had another huge breakfast before we set off for our drive home.
The Bay Horse Country Inn on TripAdvisor
Without any doubt this is one of the best places that we have eaten or stayed at.
Without any doubt this is one of the best places that we have eaten or stayed at as the the bed was comfortable, dinner and breakfast were excellent and everyone was so welcoming. Fast wi-fi, easy parking lots of choice of beers – what more could you need!
Both our one stays were the same, thank you Chris!
The lamb and steaks were all from local farms, well cooked and presented. Breakfast was fabulous.
Rooms were excellent and the bed was so comfortable that getting up to continue our journey was hard.
We sat in the back of the inn in the sun and had drinks sitting amongst all the flowers.