The Moaning Workman is a spectre said to haunt Burnham-on-Sea’s High Lighthouse after a fatal fall during its construction
On the Somerset coast, the seaside town of Burnham-on-Sea is unusual for having three lighthouses.
The most imposing is the High Lighthouse, a tall white brick tower built in the 1830s.
Though decommissioned and now privately owned, it is remembered not just for guiding ships – but for the mournful ghost said to haunt its walls.
Locals speak of the Moaning Workman, a labourer who fell to his death during the lighthouse’s construction.
On stormy nights, they say his cries can still be heard on the wind.
History of Burnham High Lighthouse
Built in 1832, the High Lighthouse stood inland from the beach, working with two smaller “Low Lights” closer to the shore to guide ships safely into the Bristol Channel.
It served for more than 160 years until it was decommissioned in 1993 and later converted into a private holiday home.
But its construction was marked by tragedy.
One of the workmen fell from the scaffolding during building and was killed instantly.
The story of his death lingered in local memory – and, some say, in the tower itself.
The Ghostly Moans of the Workman
For generations, Burnham-on-Sea residents have spoken of dismal moans heard near the High Lighthouse on wild, stormy nights.
To some, it sounds like the howl of the wind through cracks in the tower.
To others, it is unmistakably human – the groan of a man reliving his fatal plunge.
Those who stayed in the tower after it was decommissioned have told of other unsettling moments.
Sudden cold drafts on the stairs, the sense of being followed, or the sound of a single heavy footstep on the top floor when no one else was there.
A tenant in the 1980s claimed he was sometimes woken in the small hours by a low sigh that seemed to come from inside the walls.
Paranormal enthusiasts believe the tragic accident imprinted itself on the lighthouse, replaying like a recording whenever the weather turns foul.
Visiting Burnham’s Lighthouses
The High Lighthouse is privately owned and not open to the public, but it is easy to view from the Esplanade in Burnham-on-Sea.
Just along the beach stands the town’s most distinctive landmark – the Low Lighthouse, a stilted wooden tower that still operates today.
Both make Burnham a fascinating spot for lighthouse lovers, with ghostly lore adding an extra layer of atmosphere.
Walk the seafront on a blustery evening, and you may just hear the moans that locals have spoken of for nearly two centuries.
The High Lighthouse of Burnham-on-Sea may have fallen dark, but its most famous resident may never have left.
The Moaning Workman is a reminder of the risks taken by those who built England’s great coastal lights.
So if you find yourself on the Somerset coast in a gale, pause a moment.
That wail in the wind may not just be the sea – it could be the voice of the man who helped build the tower, still crying out from the past.
Have you ever heard the Moaning Workman of Burnham Lighthouse? Share your experience in the comments below!
