St Mary's Lighthouse has all the fascination of a miniature, part-time island. Climb the 137 steps to the top of the lighthouse for the most spectacular views of the north east coast of England. The surrounding nature reserve contains rock pools, cliff top grassland, a beach and newly created wetland habitats. St Mary’s Lighthouse is an important haul-out site for seals, when they come ashore to rest, moult and digest food.