Pros

  • Unique lighthouse property with quirky touches
  • Serene coastal setting overlooking the Severn Estuary
  • Four individually styled rooms -- some with sea views
  • Excellent cooked breakfast included in rate
  • Hot tub with Dr. Who Tardis changing room
  • Lamp room with 360-degree panoramas
  • Licensed for civil ceremonies
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Cons

  • At end of bumpy dirt track
  • Some bathrooms are tiny
  • View of some industrial buildings
  • Slow Wi-Fi
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Bottom Line

The West Usk Lighthouse is a unique bed-and-breakfast full of charming quirks set overlooking the Severn Estuary on the Welsh south coast. While the quiet and secluded location -- down a long dirt track -- feels remote, it's within easy driving distance of both Newport and Cardiff. The four guest rooms vary in size and views, though all are cozy and well maintained with nautical touches. The owner provides a hearty cooked breakfast each morning, while guests can soak in the hot tub overlooking the pretty surrounds -- as well as a distant factory or two. While rates aren't cheap for bed-and-breakfast accommodation, the property certainly makes for a more memorable stay than most. 

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Amenities

  • Cribs
  • Internet
  • Jacuzzi
  • Spa

Oyster Hotel Review

West Usk Lighthouse

Scene

Quirky and cozy bed-and-breakfast set in renovated lighthouse

When it comes to quirky and unique accommodation, travelers would be hard-pressed to find anything quite like the West Usk Lighthouse. Built in 1821 by Scottish architect James Walker (who went on to build another 21 lighthouses), even the lighthouse itself -- more squat that soaring -- doesn't follow the traditional form. A working lighthouse until 1922 and now a protected heritage building, it was bought semi-derelict in 1987 by the present owner Frank and last renovated in 2013 -- though exposure to the elements makes this an ongoing effort. 

The owner made the lighthouse his home, and the inn is full of touches reflecting his playful tastes, including a Doctor Who Tardis and resident live-size Dalek, as well as plenty of maritime-themed curios. Guests report that Frank is a wonderful host (and he personally makes the excellent cooked English breakfast). Every room in the building is wedge-shaped with a spiral staircase rising through the center that leads to the lantern room -- restored in 1997 and offering superb 360-degree views of the serene countryside, estuary, and sea.  Even the heavy industrial buildings a little farther up the river and on the opposite banks fail to spoil the vista. The vibe is cozy, secluded, and romantic, making this property popular with vacationing tourists with a taste for the unusual, as well as romancing couples and even the occasional wedding. 

See More Scene

Location

Secluded and serene setting on Welsh south coast close to Newport

The hotel is located on the south coast of Wales, overlooking the Severn Estuary, and bordered by the River Usk to one side and fields and open pasture to the other. Situated half a mile down a rough dirt track, the location certainly feels remote and secluded -- the small sign marking the turn-off from the main road is also easy missed. The nearest city is Newport, about five miles or a 20-minute drive north of the property, while central Cardiff is about half an hour by car. 

See More Location

Rooms

Individually styled rooms with signature touches and some sea views

The lighthouse has just four individually styled guest rooms, from the charmingly ramshackle but small Cabin Room -- with carved wood mantelpiece -- to the fresh and bright Waterbed Room with maritime-stripe chairs. All rooms have nautical touches, and amenities include tea/coffee facilities, hairdryers, and flat-screen TVs with DVD players; free W-Fi is also available, though it's slow. While most of the bathrooms are bright and spacious, with stall showers and toiletries, the Four Poster room's en-suite bathroom is a little pokey. Most of the rooms also offer at least partial views over the water -- the best views are from the Cabin Room. 

See More Rooms

Features

Full English breakfast, massage treatments, and sea-view hot tub

The owner cooks up an excellent Full English breakfast each morning for guests, with vegan and veggie options and cereal, toast, tea, coffee, and orange juice also provided -- all included in the room rate. A range of treatments and therapies are also available, including Thai and Swedish massage, hypnotherapy, and New Age healing. An outdoor sea-view hot tub makes a great place to soak after a day exploring the area. The property is also licensed for civil ceremonies, which can be performed in the dining room or slate-bedded entrance hall.

See More Features

Oyster Hotel Review

West Usk Lighthouse

Scene

Quirky and cozy bed-and-breakfast set in renovated lighthouse

When it comes to quirky and unique accommodation, travelers would be hard-pressed to find anything quite like the West Usk Lighthouse. Built in 1821 by Scottish architect James Walker (who went on to build another 21 lighthouses), even the lighthouse itself -- more squat that soaring -- doesn't follow the traditional form. A working lighthouse until 1922 and now a protected heritage building, it was bought semi-derelict in 1987 by the present owner Frank and last renovated in 2013 -- though exposure to the elements makes this an ongoing effort. 

The owner made the lighthouse his home, and the inn is full of touches reflecting his playful tastes, including a Doctor Who Tardis and resident live-size Dalek, as well as plenty of maritime-themed curios. Guests report that Frank is a wonderful host (and he personally makes the excellent cooked English breakfast). Every room in the building is wedge-shaped with a spiral staircase rising through the center that leads to the lantern room -- restored in 1997 and offering superb 360-degree views of the serene countryside, estuary, and sea.  Even the heavy industrial buildings a little farther up the river and on the opposite banks fail to spoil the vista. The vibe is cozy, secluded, and romantic, making this property popular with vacationing tourists with a taste for the unusual, as well as romancing couples and even the occasional wedding. 

See More Scene

Location

Secluded and serene setting on Welsh south coast close to Newport

The hotel is located on the south coast of Wales, overlooking the Severn Estuary, and bordered by the River Usk to one side and fields and open pasture to the other. Situated half a mile down a rough dirt track, the location certainly feels remote and secluded -- the small sign marking the turn-off from the main road is also easy missed. The nearest city is Newport, about five miles or a 20-minute drive north of the property, while central Cardiff is about half an hour by car. 

See More Location

Rooms

Individually styled rooms with signature touches and some sea views

The lighthouse has just four individually styled guest rooms, from the charmingly ramshackle but small Cabin Room -- with carved wood mantelpiece -- to the fresh and bright Waterbed Room with maritime-stripe chairs. All rooms have nautical touches, and amenities include tea/coffee facilities, hairdryers, and flat-screen TVs with DVD players; free W-Fi is also available, though it's slow. While most of the bathrooms are bright and spacious, with stall showers and toiletries, the Four Poster room's en-suite bathroom is a little pokey. Most of the rooms also offer at least partial views over the water -- the best views are from the Cabin Room. 

See More Rooms

Features

Full English breakfast, massage treatments, and sea-view hot tub

The owner cooks up an excellent Full English breakfast each morning for guests, with vegan and veggie options and cereal, toast, tea, coffee, and orange juice also provided -- all included in the room rate. A range of treatments and therapies are also available, including Thai and Swedish massage, hypnotherapy, and New Age healing. An outdoor sea-view hot tub makes a great place to soak after a day exploring the area. The property is also licensed for civil ceremonies, which can be performed in the dining room or slate-bedded entrance hall.

See More Features

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Air Conditioner

  • Balcony / Terrace / Patio

  • Basic Television

  • Cable

  • Cribs

  • Free Breakfast

  • Internet

  • Jacuzzi

  • Kids Allowed

  • Poolside Drink Service

  • Spa

  • Swim-Up Bar

Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.