A general view of St Mary's Island lighthouse complex, showing the west side, with keeper's...

The late 19th century lighthouse was designed by Sir Thomas Matthews, the engineer-in-chief to the Trinity House Board, and was installed after several large wreckings in and around the island, even though there is also a lighthouse at Tynemouth priory. The tower of the lighthouse is 126ft tall, and constructed with brick with cement render and a metal roof. It has an irregular fenestration, and at the base of the tower there is a walkway leading to the keepers' cottages. The whole complex is surrounded by a wall on the north, east and south side, with the exposed west side visible in the image. The lighthouse was converted to electricity in 1977, was decommissioned in 1984, and is now a museum and visitor centre.