Eating and shopping at Souter Lighthouse and The Leas

A halved fruit scone on a plate topped with jam and clotted cream, and a plate of fruit scones — Enjoy a homemade scone at the Lighthouse Café | © National Trust Images/William Shaw

Whether you're exploring the lighthouse or walking on The Leas, the Lighthouse Café is the perfect spot to refuel. Why not pick up something from the second-hand bookshop to read over a cuppa?

The Lighthouse Café

The Lighthouse Café provides a welcoming pit stop for lighthouse visitors and anyone exploring The Leas or Whitburn Coastal Park. You can eat in or, if the weather's nice, opt for takeaway and find a picnic table in the lighthouse grounds or a sunny spot further afield.

Pick up a hot or cold drink, and treat yourself to a snack such as a homemade scone or a slice of cake. Breakfast baps are available all day, while sandwiches, baguettes, sausage rolls and pasties are popular around lunchtime. Make sure you check the café’s blackboard for daily specials, too.

The Leas kiosk

If you're looking for a quick snack or drink to consume on the move, head for the kiosk on The Leas. Open daily during school holidays, and from Friday to Sunday between March and October, it serves a range of hot and cold drinks, ice creams, crisps and confectionery to take away. Dog-friendly ice cream is also available, so your four-legged friend needn't miss out.

A guide to food and drink pricing

Below you’ll find some examples and prices of the tasty treats on offer to help you plan your next visit.

Tea from £2.70

Coffees from £2.30 (Single Espresso) or £3.10 (Regular Americano)

Cold drinks from £1.80

Cakes and bakes from £2.20

Ice cream from £1.30

Scoop ice cream from £3.40

Sandwiches from £4.30

Hot food from £4.70

Allergen information

Most of the food and drink served is prepared on site in our kitchen, using a wide range of ingredients. As a result, we can’t guarantee that any of our food and drink products are completely allergen free.

If you have an allergy or intolerance and would like ingredient information about the food and drink served, please ask the staff, who will be happy to help.

Always check when you visit

Visited before? We sometimes change our recipes to improve quality and flavour, including the ingredients. When you visit, please speak to one of our team to check the current allergen information for your favourite dish.

Paperbacks on a shelf in the second-hand bookshop at Shugborough Estate, Staffordshire — Find second-hand reads in Souter's bookshop | © National Trust Images/David Goacher

Souter's second-hand bookshop

Located in the admissions area, the well-stocked second-hand bookshop is accessible whenever the lighthouse is open. Drop by to browse and buy all kinds of books, whether you're looking for your next page-turner, some cookery inspiration or a story to fire the kids' imagination. All proceeds go towards caring for the lighthouse, The Leas and Whitburn Coastal Park.

Donations of books in good condition are gratefully accepted when stock is running low. Please email us at souter@nationaltrust.org.uk to check before making a special journey to drop any off.