St Nicholas' Chapel And Lighthouse

St Nicholas' Chapel and Lighthouse is a disused chapel that incorporates a lighthouse lantern. It is located on Lantern Hill, a high rock situated between the sea and the harbour in Ilfracombe. The chapel possibly dates back to the 14th century and was known to be in existence by the early 15th century. By the time of Henry VIII, it was used as a lighthouse, with the current lantern being from the 18th or early 19th century. The building is constructed of rubble, with some parts rendered, and features slated roofs, including a lower roof over the western chancel that is crowned by the lantern.

The west end of the chapel bulges due to early 20th-century reinforcement that covers the original wall behind it, which has two lancet windows. The chapel has a rectangular plan measuring approximately 31 feet 6 inches by 13 feet 3 inches internally and is reverse oriented. The east end features a gabled rubble porch with windows and a plank door, while the south elevation has a lean-to porch with a sash window to the right. The north elevation includes a sash window, a casement window, and a roof dormer. To the right, there is a projecting base of what is presumed to be a turret, which includes a window sill.

The octagonal lantern has an ogee roof and is topped with a copper fish-shaped weather vane that has a cut-out letter "B" and the date "1819." Although the interior has not been inspected, it is believed to retain 18th-century internal fittings. The date when the chapel ceased to be used for worship is unknown, but it has served various purposes over the last 200 years, including as a dwelling house, reading room, and laundry during the 19th century. This chapel is a prominent and important feature of the harbour.