Start Point Lighthouse, South Devon, England Aug 20, 2023

Standing tall on a rugged cliff in Devon, England, overlooking the English Channel, the Start Point Lighthouse is probably one of the most renowned maritime structures in the country. Built in 1836, this elegant lighthouse was designed by James Walker—a British civil engineer—and its bright beam guided vessels to safe passage throughout its existence. Towering structures such as this have always played an invaluable role in shaping maritime history and ensuring the safety of seafarers in treacherous waters worldwide. The Start Point Lighthouse is open to the public in the summer months if you find yourself nearby and would like to see it up close.

© Guy Edwardes/Minden Pictures

palette

Today in History

Aug 20, 2024Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, USA
Aug 20, 2025The citadel in Bonifacio, Southern Corsica, France
Aug 20, 2026An orca near the Chilkat Mountains, Lynn Canal, Alaska, USA

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Aug 11, 2024Wooden path to Kennedy Lake, Vancouver Island, Canada
Nov 15, 2023Rapa Valley in Sarek National Park, Sweden
Dec 25, 2024Lakes of Covadonga, Asturias, Spain
Jan 12, 2026Eurasian otters
Aug 10, 2024Joshua Tree National Park, California, USA
Apr 8, 2026Seattle, Washington, United States
Apr 30, 2026Keukenhof Gardens, Lisse, Netherlands
Mar 28, 2026African buffalo, Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania
Mar 26, 2024Vinh Hy Bay, Vietnam
Apr 4, 2025National Cherry Blossom Festival, Washington, DC, United States
Nov 9, 2025Lagoon Nebula, captured by the Hubble Space Telescope
Mar 27, 2025Odeon of Herodes Atticus, Acropolis of Athens, Greece
Apr 12, 2024Arches National Park, Utah, USA
Aug 9, 2024Inca ruin of Sacsayhuamán near Cusco, Peru
May 5, 2025Yoho National Park, British Columbia, Canada
May 7, 2025Dunluce Castle, County Antrim, Northern Ireland
Oct 16, 2025Eurasian lynx, Siberia
Jun 17, 2024Green-crowned brilliant
Dec 19, 2023Cachoeira da Fumacinha, Bahia, Brazil
Feb 13, 2025Lake Tyrrell, Victoria, Australia
June 5, 2026Sarek National Park, Laponia, Lapland, Sweden
Feb 2, 2024Alpine marmot
Oct 20, 2024Three-toed sloth in Costa Rica
July 3, 2026Fireflies glowing above a stream, Okayama Prefecture, Japan
Nov 27, 2024Tombeau du Géant in Bouillon, Belgium
Jun 17, 2025Maritime forest in Cumberland Island National Seashore, Georgia, United States
Apr 23, 2024Library of Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
Sep 26, 2025Least chipmunk
Jun 13, 2025Vila Franca Islet, São Miguel Island, Azores, Portugal
Dec 29, 2023Oud-West neighbourhood, Amsterdam, Netherlands