Porthcawl lighthouse, Wales, United Kingdom Nov. 18, 2024

With waves crashing against its sturdy base and a stormy sea swirling around, this lighthouse in Porthcawl, Wales, has been standing resilient since 1860. At 9 metres tall, Porthcawl lighthouse, designed by the eminent engineer James Walker, is often pictured being battered by waves when storms hit this coast. The town"s rugged coastline, with its hidden rocky coves, has always posed a perilous challenge to sailors. Porthcawl lighthouse was built to help guide the increasing maritime traffic along the Bristol Channel. This cast-iron lighthouse was the last one in the United Kingdom to be powered by coal and gas. Although it was converted to electric power in 1997, the lighthouse still maintains its historical charm.

© Leighton Collins/Alamy

palette

Today in History

Keyholes to the kingdom
Nov. 18, 2023Polar bear season in Manitoba
Nov. 18, 2025Male hooded merganser, Oregon, United States

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Feb. 8, 2024Mount Hood, Oregon
A pink moon over Arizona
Nov. 30, 2024Saint Andrews Day
Oct. 25, 2023Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Utah
Nov. 12, 2025Colosseum, Rome, Italy
The ancient home of the Minoans
May 25, 2024Aït Benhaddou, Morocco
Dec. 25, 2025Merry Christmas!
Oct. 3, 2024Taj Mahal, Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India
Feb. 15, 2025The natural ice wall of Misotsuchi, Chichibu, Japan
Mar. 28, 2024Cherry blossoms in Shanghai, China
Where fire and water meet
A smooth landing, feet first
Jul. 30, 2025International Day of Friendship
Jan. 19, 2026Abraham Lake, Alberta
Feb. 9, 2026Amur leopard cat, Russia
Dec. 22, 2024Christmas tree at Crystal Pier, San Diego, California, United States
Leaf-peeping Southern style
Jan. 7, 2025Moeraki Boulders, South Island, New Zealand
Like paint on a canvas
May 26, 2025Mount Hamilton, San Francisco Bay Area, California, United States
Blurring the lines with wearable art
Sep. 14, 2023Przewalskis horses, Hustai National Park, Mongolia
Park of the Monsters
Little Island, Big Sea
Oct. 20, 2023International Sloth Day
Nov. 13, 2025Distillery Winter Village
Two hungry baby beavers
Mar. 23, 2025World Meteorological Day
May 19, 2024Vernazza, Cinque Terre, Liguria, Italy