Victorian Style - Hereford Inlet Lighthouse in North Wildwood

The Hereford Inlet Lighthouse in North Wildwood, New Jersey is one of those lighthouses that looks completely different than what you might expect. When people typically think of a coastal lighthouse, they imagine one that is shaped like a tall column and not one that is shaped like a Victorian house!

The lighthouse was built in 1874 and it's Victorian charm is evident inside and out. Inside it features five large fireplaces and large living quarters for the lighthouse keeper and his family. Touring the inside really gives you a nice peek into what Victorian home decor looked like back then.

Touring around the lighthouse grounds is free. If you want to go inside and take a tour you will have to pay a small admission fee. Once inside, they have a small but very quaint gift shop which tends to be a little on the pricey side.

On the day that we visited, we sat and watched an educational video on the history of the Hereford Inlet Lighthouse. We were then able to walk around inside and take a look at everything that it had to offer. The inside tour took us less than 25 minutes to complete.

Outside you will want to take a walk around the beautifully landscaped property. You will find numerous flower and herb gardens sprinkled out front, along the sides and out back with walking paths leading you around.

There are several benches that you can sit down on and pose for photographs or just to sit and talk. There are additional benches behind the lighthouse and two wooden lifeguard boats where you and the family can pose for photos for free! In addition, there is a large scope sitting up on the back seawall and if you put a .25 into it...you can see for several miles out into the Atlantic Ocean.

If you ask me...the prettiest part of the Wildwood island is right here...behind the Hereford Inlet Lighthouse! The views you get here of the inlet and of the Atlantic Ocean are spectacular! You should check it out during sunrise and sunset too!

Every time we visit the south Jersey Shore (Stone Harbor, Wildwood, Diamond Beach or Cape May areas) we always pay a visit to the Hereford Lighthouse. Admission is $4.00 for adults and $1.00 for children under 11 years of age. Again, you only pay that admission fee if you are going to do the inside tour. It is free to walk around the lighthouse gardens.

The Hereford Inlet Lighthouse is basically a historical museum with gift shop. It is listed on the state and national registers of historic places. You can find it at 111 North Central Avenue, North Wildwood in New Jersey. Visit their web site for a list of events and current hours of operation. 

Note: All photos used in this post are copyright 2014 Shelly Hill. To see a larger photo, click on the photo and a new window will pop up with a larger picture.