The lighthouse was designed by James Walker and built in 1835 by Olver of Falmouth, for Trinity House and the original light came from eight Argand oil lamps mounted on a revolving frame.

[2] In 1865 an additional lamp and reflector were installed 'in the living room of the principal keeper' which shone a fixed light through a square window in the direction of a dangerous cluster of rocks known as The Manacles.

[5] As part of these improvements the subsidiary light was discontinued, being replaced by the addition of a red sector to the main lamp.

Today the light is automated, flashing every 15 seconds, with a red sector for The Manacles.

It also featured in one of episode of Ragdoll Productions' preschool series; Tots TV.