Berry Head is a coastal headland at the southern end of Torbay, to the southeast of Brixham, Devon, England.
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Berry Head to Sharkham Point is a haven for several nationally rare and threatened species which are dependent upon the thin limestone soils, mild climate and exposed conditions of the headland.
The coastal cliffs here are home to a seabird colony, including Guillemots, Razorbills and Black-legged Kittiwakes. Several rare vagrant birds have occurred here, including a long-staying Gyrfalcon in 1986.
The guillemot colony on the cliffs below the Southern Fort is one of the largest on England's south coast and can be closely watched live on CCTV in the Visitor Centre. Berry Head also acts as an important staging post for migrant birds; and is home to a significant number of Cirl Buntings.
The site is one of only two locations in Great Britain at which the white rock-rose, small hare’s ear and small restharrow occurs. Spring gentian, honewort, and goldilocks aster are also dependent upon the thin soils, mild climate and exposed conditions of the headland.
Caves at Berry Head are home to the endangered Greater Horseshoe Bat. A small herd of North Devon cattle has been introduced to the headland to produce the cow pats that attract dung beetles on which young bats are particularly dependent for food.[1]
Berry Head is the site of an Iron Age hill fort which was mostly destroyed by the construction between 1794 and 1804 of extensive fortifications to protect the Torbay naval anchorage against threatened invasion by French armies.[2]
The former artillery house now houses a public display, featuring details about the history of the area, its wildlife and how it became an important strategic point.
During the late 1960s, the Outward Bound School at Ashburton used Berry Head for cliff rescue practice. A simulated casualty and rescuer would be lowered over the cliff in a wheeled stretcher on a thick rope held by other students. This was more a test of teamwork and confidence than a serious rescue technique. The students would have been between 15 and 18 years old.
The lighthouse at the end of the headland was built in 1906. It was automated and converted to run on acetylene in 1921, and was modernised in 1994 since when it has run on mains electricity. The light has a range of 14 nautical miles (26 km), giving a double white flash every 15 seconds.[3]
Berry Head is reputedly the shortest lighthouse in Great Britain, but also one of the highest, being only five metres tall, but 58 metres above mean sea level. It was also said to be the deepest because the optic was originally turned by a weight falling down a 45 metre deep shaft, though an electric motor is now used.[3]
Semaphore signalling apparatus was on Berry Head before 1875 and acted as the Lloyds' Signal Station for Torbay.
Berry Head also has a VOR/DME Beacon used for air traffic control.