Lightvessel LV18
Lightvessel LV18
4.5
10:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
10:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
10:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
10:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
10:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
10:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
10:30 AM - 4:00 PM
About
Open to the public without appointment. Fully compliant with current regulations for public access. Please contact if you have queries.
Suggested duration
< 1 hour
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
64 reviews
Excellent
41
Very good
19
Average
3
Poor
0
Terrible
1
Robert P
15 contributions
Oct 2022 • Couples
As soon as you get to the pier your attention is immediately drawn to this intriguing lightship. On board you get to go on all the decks with great views of all the activities around the harbour and the various technical clues to this ships Trinity House duties. Down below deck you get to see all the cabins, galley and various nooks and crannys which reveal it's life firstly as a lightship but then later, much more interestingly, as a floating radio station.
Lots of radio kit is on view as well as a collection of vintage radios.
The whole ship gives both a technical and emotional feel of its life and history.
Well done to those few people who saved this piece of history from the breakers against all the odds and shares it with the public - thank you.
Lots of radio kit is on view as well as a collection of vintage radios.
The whole ship gives both a technical and emotional feel of its life and history.
Well done to those few people who saved this piece of history from the breakers against all the odds and shares it with the public - thank you.
Written 9 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ellie W
5 contributions
Oct 2021
The LV18 was a really brilliant experience. On the deck of the ship there is a garden and lots of information. The people working there were very friendly and informative, having been involved in the radio and music scenes themselves. Below deck are a great range of displays and information. The ship also appeared to be accessible - we saw a wheelchair and stair lift.
Written 27 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dee B
4 contributions
Oct 2021 • Couples
Fabulous afternoon exploring the ship above decks and then down below there are crazy tales, pics and videos about pirate radio plus you can have a good look around the cabins they used. Run by enthusiastic and knowledgeable people too.
Written 3 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
helenruss2016
Bristol, UK34 contributions
Jul 2021
It was great to see the lightvessel LV18, and that it is being maintained, while we were there they were preparing the ship for someone's wedding the following day
Written 17 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
alweekes
Sevenoaks District, UK27 contributions
Aug 2020 • Solo
I really enjoyed my wander around this vessel, it gives you a flavour for life aboard the vessel and the pirate radio exhibition takes me back to listening to AM radio in my youth. There's a great collection of equipment and vintage radios of all sizes and as an electronics engineer I enjoyed perusing the large collection of practical electronics, a magazine I used to read back in the day.
Written 24 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
caroline b
oxford262 contributions
Jun 2019 • Couples
this is fascinating , a slice of history and very modestly priced - £4 for an adult. go on board and explore - it is run by dedicated enthusiasts. Hopefully you may also see it up at the Ipswich maritime festival next month. Next to Harwich Pier - please go on board and support them they really deserve it.
Written 14 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
pamcam2016
Stratford-upon-Avon, UK76 contributions
Jun 2019 • Couples
This was a very interesting place to visit and gave you a feeling of the cramped conditions that people had to live with on board. The access up and down the ladders was a bit tricky and you had to be very careful moving from one cabin to the next as there were deep sills between the cabins and the corridors.
Written 12 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Graham W
Liverpool, UK11 contributions
Jun 2018 • Solo
well done to those that have restored and preserved this old light ship. But why is it covered in unrelated rubbish , Ie gardens green bikes and mannequins It would make the light ship keepers that i knew turn in there graves
Written 9 May 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Colin B
11 contributions
Aug 2018 • Couples
We have visited the LV18 for the past 3 years on Pirate Radio week in August. A fascinating ship and well kept, including the garden on the deck which as grown somewhat since it was first started! Well worth a visit, especially when things are going on, which seems a normal occurence in August. We will be back again this year. Please show your support.
Written 13 February 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jeff1955malaysia
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia5,260 contributions
Oct 2018 • Friends
this is an old orange vessel docked at the harwick harbour. for 2 pounds you get to view the inside of the vessel. everything is well organised and maintained as it was. a good experience.
Written 15 November 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Graham W
Liverpool, UK11 contributions
Why has the light vessel got all that junk on it ie gardens bikes mannequins it would make the old keepers turn in there graves. Why cant it be as it was ?
Ilona H
Buckinghamshire, UK
It is home to Radio Mi Amigo now as well as a museum to the original vessel. The 'junk' as you put it is a garden which brightens the whole place up a bit. I would pay a visit and support its upkeep rather than moan. Well done to John and the crew keeping it going!
Michael H
17 contributions
How much time should you allocate to look around?
EssexUnhappycustomer
ESSEX55 contributions
30 minutes to an hour all depends how much you read and look at the views from the ship
andy w
Colchester, UK30 contributions
I am coming with my wife on may 2nd with Thomsons/first choice, where will my transfer coach drop us, I've heard its other side of railway, is this true?
347valerie
Essex, UK97 contributions
I'm sorry, are you referring to Harwich International Port? The lightship is on Harwich Quay.
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Claim your listingLIGHTVESSEL LV18: Tickets, Tours & Things to Know (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Lightvessel LV18
- Lightvessel LV18 is open:
- Tue - Sun 10:30 - 16:00
- Hotels near Lightvessel LV18:
- (0.02 mi) The Pier Hotel at Harwich
- (0.03 mi) The Lookout
- (0.03 mi) On the Quay: iconic grand building on Harwich pier
- (0.06 mi) Alma Inn
- (0.11 mi) Samuel Pepys Hotel
- Restaurants near Lightvessel LV18:
- (0.02 mi) The Cafe on the Pier
- (0.02 mi) The Pier Restaurant
- (0.03 mi) Jacks Snax R807 BAW
- (0.04 mi) Home Baked By The Quay
- (0.09 mi) Thai Up At The Quay