Daymark on the highest point of Scilly.
The St. Martin’s Daymark is the earliest surviving beacon in the British Isles. The 40 feet high stone beacon was built by Thomas Ekins, on the island of St. Martin’s.
It was originally painted white, but later painted red, and now has red and white bands. The daymark is visible for miles as it stands on one of the highest points of the Isles of Scilly.
The daymark stands on Chapel Down and records indicate that a chapel with a beacon stood on St. Martin’s Head from around the 15th century. Monks looked after the fire beacon which acted as a navigation aid. The chapel later came into disrepair after it was later abandoned.
The current daymark was built by Thomas Ekins, an island steward working for the Godolphin family. The structure is thought to have been built around the 1680s.
There used to be a doorway into the tower, but this was blocked up around the 1960's. An internal spiral stone staircase leads to the upper floor which has two slit windows.
The date inscribed on the tower states 1637. However, this date seems to be before Thomas Ekins came to the island, so there is some confusion over when exactly it was built. It may possibly have read 1687 originally and later the 8 became a 3. Official records state that it was built in 1683.
On 19th January 1830 the brig 'Hope', was bound for London with gold dust, ivory, palm oil and peppers. She foundered close to St. Martin's Daymark when her captain mistook the tower for St. Agnes Lighthouse, as it was painted white at the time. When realising his mistake the captain dropped anchor but it was too late, and four people died during their attempt to escape.
On board was the officer’s servant, and at St. Martin’s graveyard is a memorial stone which has an inscription of the daymark. St. Martin’s Church was also built by Thomas Ekins.
Following the disaster, the daymark was painted bright red but later changed to its current red and white bands, making it more visible.
Close to the beacon is the remains of a Napoleonic Signal Station which was built in 1804. Four men were stationed here to keep watch for French ships and to report any unusual shipping activity around the islands.
The beacon is easily accessed via a coastal footpath around the island. There are beautiful views across to Round Island Lighthouse and great views from the Sevenstones Inn near Lower Town.
On the eastern end of St. Martin's on Chapel Down.
Opening TimesAll Year Admission Free |
Cornish Lighthouses St. Martin's Seven Stones Lightship Shipwrecks Around The Isles of Scilly
The Isles of Scilly