Lighthouses of Wales – Warren Kovach
There are more than 30 lighthouses around the coast of Wales. Many of these are well known structures, located in spots of great natural beauty, but all operate a vital role in warning seafarers of marine hazards and guiding them to safer waters. In this book author Warren Kovach looks at the development of lighthouses in Wales, how they have been operated over the centuries, and who have been involved in their story – the lighthouse keepers and their families as well as the architects.
Alongside the human story is a story of technological development, the evolution of different types of structure, lamps and lenses, fog signals, and the automated future in a world with GPS. The book is illustrated throughout and also includes an appendix listing all the lighthouses, both active and inactive, with information such as location, year established, height, etc. All those who want to know more about the maritime history of Wales and these fascinating structures will find this book of interest.
You will be able to order a signed copy directly from the author through this web site in the autumn of 2025. You can also pre-order the book directly from Amberley Publishing, or from Amazon.co.uk.
About the Author
Dr Warren Kovach is the author of the popular Anglesey-History.co.uk website, which highlights aspects of the island’s history, supplemented by many of his own photographs. He has also written several books about the history of Anglesey: Anglesey Through Time, A Walking Guide to the Menai Strait Bridges, Anglesey in 50 Buildings and A-Z of the Isle of Anglesey. He is also the author of the forthcoming book Lighthouses of Wales, due to be published in November 2025.
Born and raised in Ohio, USA, he moved to Anglesey in the early 1990s and soon set about exploring its history and landscape. Warren has a PhD as a researcher in biology, ecology and palaeontology, but later moved to developing scientific computer software, then to local history writing, guiding and speaking. He is a keen photographer and has had his photos published in many national newspapers, books and magazines around the world. He is trustee of the Anglesey Antiquarian Society, a volunteer and former trustee of Menai Heritage, and was a tour guide at South Stack Lighthouse on Ynys Lawd, Anglesey.
You can follow him on social media: Facebook – AngleseyHistory, Bluesky – @angleseyhistory.bsky.social, X – @AngleseyHist, Mastodon – @AngleseyHistory@toot.wales, Threads – @angleseyhistory, Instagram – @angleseyhistory.
Book details
Format: Paperback, 234 x 165 mm
Pages: 96
Images: 75
Publisher: Amberley Publishing Plc, November 2025
ISBN-10: 1398120626
ISBN-13: 978-1398120624
List of Lighthouses
These are the lighthouses included in the book. You can find more details about them through the “The Lighthouses” page on the Lighthouses of Wales website, or through the map of the lighthouses.
- Point of Ayr/Talacre (Goleudy’r Parlwr Du)
- Great Orme (Pen y Gogarth)
- Trwyn Du/Penmon
- Point Lynas (Goleudy Trwyn y Balog or Goleudy Pwynt Leinws)
- Amlwch Port (Porth Amlwch)
- Skerries (Ynysoedd y Moelrhoniaid)
- Holyhead Admiralty Pier, Salt Island (Caergybi, Ynys Halen)
- Holyhead Breakwater (Morglawdd Caergybi)
- South Stack (Ynys Lawd)
- Tŵr Bach, Llanddwyn
- Tŵr Mawr, Llanddwyn
- Bardsey (Ynys Enlli)
- St Tudwal’s (Ynys Tudwal Fawr)
- Aberystwyth, Ceredigion
- Fishguard Breakwater North (Abergwaun)
- Strumble Head (Ynys Meicel)
- South Bishop (Emsger)
- Smalls
- Skokholm (Ynys Sgogwm)
- St Ann’s Head Low (Penrhyn Santes Ann)
- St Ann’s Head High (Penrhyn Santes Ann)
- Great Castle Head (Pen y Castell Mawr)
- Caldey (Ynys Bŷr)
- Saundersfoot (Llanusyllt)
- Burry Port (Porth Tywyn)
- Whiteford Point (Llanmadog)
- Mumbles (Mwmbwls)
- Porthcawl
- Nash Point Low (Trwyn yr As)
- Nash Point High (Trwyn yr As)
- Barry Docks (Dociau’r Barri)
- Flat Holm (Ynys Echni)
- Monkstone
- West Usk/St Brides Wentlooge (Gorllewin Wysg, Gwynllŵg)
- East Usk (Dwyrain Wysg, Trefonnen)