National Trust launches 125th year with beacon lightings

The National Trust will be lighting beacons across the South West on Thursday 9 January as part of a national network of beacons to celebrate 125 years since the conservation charity was founded.

They will be lit at dawn to mark the moment that the charity was founded by Octavia Hill, Sir Robert Hunter and Canon Hardwicke Rawnsley to give people access to nature, to beauty and to history.

Locations where the beacons will be lit include Cornwall, Devon and Somerset. Chapel Carn Brea in Cornwall will be the most south westerly beacon lighting location in the UK, with beacons also being lit on Potter’s Hill near Woolacombe, Killerton near Exeter and Glastonbury Tor in Somerset. Beacons will also be lit at 17 locations across the UK between 9 – 12 January to mark the occasion.

In setting up the National Trust in 1895 - to preserve places of historic interest and natural beauty for the benefit of the nation – the founders acknowledged the threat and the need to do something about it. Over the course of the past 125 years, the charity has focused its efforts on where it felt the need was greatest.

This week, the Trust will be announcing its ambitions and focus for the next decade to help mark this important moment in its history.

At Chapel Carn Brea, the beacon will be lit at 6:30am to the sound of a Cornish piper and all are invited to join the event there from 6am.  Please note, there’s limited car parking so please car share where possible. If you would like to discuss any access requirements, please visit the Sennen to Penberth website and get in contact with the National Trust team.