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The West Usk Lighthouse

This cosy bed and breakfast is situated near the city of Newport, Gwent, overlooking the Severn Estuary and the Bristol Channel.

It was named as one of the 'Most Romantic in Britain' by Cosmopolitan magazine. The lighthouse has been featured in most national magazines and newspapers, too numerous to mention. It has also been featured on many television shows, including The Big Breakfast Show, House Busters, My House & House to House.

Perhaps the strangest house around, the ex-lighthouse - found at the end of a very long stony track - is an unusual example of its kind, built to a unique design: not tall as most lighthouses are, and considerably bigger in circumference.

In 1821, it was on an island where the Severn and Usk run into the sea, with views far out into the Bristol Channel. Since then, land has been reclaimed and although on one side the loudest sound is of the sea when the tide (second fastest in the world) comes racing in to the foot of the building, on the other only the occasional mooing cow can be heard.

The lighthouse was decommissioned in 1922, and became a private house shortly afterwards.

The lighthouse is only two hours' drive from London, is situated between Newport and Cardiff, overlooking both The Usk and the Severn Estuaries and The Bristol Channel. We bought it when it was semi-derelict in 1987. The lantern room was restored in 1997 with a grant from the Wales Tourist Board and CADW.

The lighthouse is now a grade 11 listed building.

We are really fortunate to live in this unique property. The tides come rushing in twice a day, so the landscape is never the same.

The Severn Estuary is the second fastest tidal river in the world. The sunrises and sunsets are just spectacular. The storms are something else! The full moon has to be seen to be believed.

We have cows in the fields and wild horses roam around. In the summer time, the crops are so colourful.

Our guests come for a relaxing short break, though we do have some lighthouse enthusiasts who stay longer.

We have had over 20 marriage proposals at the lighthouse.

You can re-take your vows on top of the lighthouse, shouting it as loud as you want! We can arrange for someone to help you do this. We can take you in the Roller to the local full a la carte restaurant, with chilled champagne for the journey, or we can order flowers and balloons for a birthday treat.

The lighthouse is also suitable for small groups of family, friends and hen nighters. We have a waterbed and a couple of 4 poster beds, all en-suite facilities, with colour TV, and tea/coffee making. All the rooms are wedge-shaped.

A stone spiral staircase takes you to the first floor where all the letting rooms are.

Places Of Interest

Quite close to the lighthouse are palatial Tredegar House (lake and craft shops in its grounds) and romantic little Castell Coch ('the red castle').

Also well worth visiting are the Roman city of Caerleon, and the castles of Caldicot, Cardiff, Caerphilly and Penhow. Both the Usk Valley and the Brecon Beacons are scenic and within easy drive.

Guests can also take part in Gliding, Dry Ski Slopes, Helicopter Rides, Horse Riding, Skateboarding, Scuba Diving, Go-Karting. We have a Velodrome in Newport for any cycling enthusiast and a Transporter Bridge which cost £3m to restore.

Other Attractions for families include: - Techniquest in Cardiff,
The Welsh Folk Museum off Junction 33, M4

The Big Pit near Pontypool, Green Meadow Farm near Cwmbran, both off Junction 26.

Please ring us if you would like further information. We don't have a brochure, but we can send you a postcard picture of the Lighthouse.

We are open all year round, except two days at Christmas. Please bear in mind that the Lighthouse is a unique B&B and not a hotel ..