February half term at Souter Lighthouse

A family head towards the red and white striped tower of Souter Lighthouse on a winter's day

We've got nature and outdoor activities plus a brand new exhibition about lighthouse life at Souter this half term.

Time flies when you're having fun

You can brush up on your joinery skills and help local wildlife by building a bird box. The team will be happy to tell you all about the birds that may visit your garden and choose to make it their home. You never know, there could be a family of chicks safely nestled your hand crafted bird box by spring. £5 each. Suitable for ages 4-11. Monday 21, Wednesday 23 and Friday 25 February. There's no need to book, simply head to the Education Room, upstairs from the admissions area.

A great tit chick, almost ready to leave its cosy nest box
A great tit chick sits in a nest box, almost ready to fledge
A great tit chick, almost ready to leave its cosy nest box

Souter sports

You’ll find outdoor games and mini-sports activities for all the family in the Foghorn Field on Tuesday 22 and Thursday 24 February, including football, badminton and archery. Anyone new to the activities can pick up helpful hints from our Active Outdoors team. Free.

If you’ve still got energy to spare, you could do a lap of our Active Mile course around Whitburn Coastal Park. Start at the information board near the main car park, then follow way markers to find instructions for a different exercise at each spot.

Visit the lighthouse

In the lighthouse, kids can explore how coastal navigation works and colourful hands-on activity tables show how lighthouse keepers kept ships safe. Our new Keeper's Cottage exhibition gives a flavour of domestic and working life for Supernumerary Assistant Keepers (trainee lighthouse keepers) in the 1950s. Take a seat and listen to a trainee's story, read reports based on real incidents and play a table top game to help them find the right tools to carry out tasks around the lighthouse. Climbing to the top of the tower is an adventure for all ages, rewarded by views that stretch for miles. Open daily, 11am – 5pm from Monday 7 February. Entry is free for National Trust members.

Explore the coast at your own pace 

The Souter Saunter downloadable walking trail. is an easy 2 mile route takes in bird viewing screens in the nature reserve and great places to spot seabirds along the cliff top stretch.