Egypt Point

{{Short description|Northernmost point of the Isle of Wight, England}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2019}}

File:Egypt Point, IW, UK.jpg

Egypt Point is the northernmost point of the island county of the Isle of Wight off the south coast of England, and was one of Queen Victoria's favoured places during her time on the island.{{cite web|url=http://www.information-britain.co.uk/county71/townguideEgypt%20Point|title=A guide to Egypt Point|publisher=Information Britain|access-date=2009-08-11}} According to the Post Office at the 2011 Census the point population was included in the civil parish of Northwood, Isle of Wight.

File:Hurst Castle , Little Lighthouse - geograph.org.uk - 1721746.jpg

Egypt Point lies in between the town of Cowes and the village of Gurnard. Between 1897 and 1989 a lighthouse was maintained there by Trinity House. It flashed white every ten seconds, with a range of {{convert|10|nmi}}.{{cite book |last1=Saxby Wryde |first1=J. |title=British Lighthouses: Their History and Romance |date=1913 |publisher=T. F. Unwin |location=London |page=330}}{{cite book |last1=Brown |first1=T. Nigel |last2=Ingram-Brown |first2=Robert |title=Brown's Nautical Almanac |date=1985 |publisher=Brown, Son & Ferguson |location=Glasgow |page=726}} Initially lit by paraffin, in 1925 it was converted to run automatically on acetylene; then in 1969 it was converted to run on electricity.{{cite web |title=Egypt Point Lighthouse |url=http://www.worldwidelighthouses.com/Lighthouses/English-Lighthouses/Privately-Owned/Egypt-Point |website=Worldwide Lighthouses |access-date=23 February 2019}} In 1989 the 'changing requirements of the Mariner' led to the light being decommissioned.[https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-lighthouse-egypt-point-cowes-isle-of-wight-uk-52217688.html Plaque on lighthouse.] Though the light no longer functions, the structure remains a landmark for yachtsmen. In 1997 ownership was transferred from Trinity House to the new Isle of Wight Council.{{cite journal |last1=Birchell |first1=Capt. A. C. |title=Lighthouses for Tourists |journal=Sea Breezes: The Magazine of Ships and the Sea |date=January 1998 |volume=72 |issue=625 |page=12}}

Egypt Point derives its name from a nearby gypsy encampment from the 16th century.[http://www.cowes.co.uk/Walks-from-Cowes.aspx Cowes Town Guide] Retrieved 16 February 2014 It is now a popular vantage point for the annual Round the Island Race which starts and ends at Cowes.