The building was constructed in 1790 as one of a pair of candle-powered lights. In 1801 candle power gave way to oil lamps and reflectors. In 1863 the lantern stage was replaced with the diagonally-framed glass structure seen today and four years later the reflectors were replaced in each lighthouse by a large catadioptric lens designed by James Chance. In 1871 Happisburgh's lighthouses were used for a series of trials comparing a Douglass 4-wick oil light with a Wigham 108-jet gas light both using the same optics; the experiments were not conclusive and further trials later took place at South Foreland. In order to provide a supply of coal gas for the lamp, a small gas works was established alongside the high lighthouse; the gas was manufactured using cannel coal and stored in a pair of gas holders situated behind the lighthouse. In 1872, the trial having concluded, it was decided to retain gas as the illuminant for the high lighthouse, and later the supply was extended to the low lighthouse which was provided with a similar burner. Beyond Happisburgh, however, Trinity House did not adopt gas as an illuminant for its lighthouses. The low light was decommissioned and demolished in 1883 before it could be lost due to coastal erosion; its lantern and lens were reused at Southwold lighthouse. The demolition of the low light led to the High Light being repainted with red bands, so as to differentiate it more clearly from the lighthouse at Winterton; at the same time it was also provided with an occulting mechanism to differentiate the light itself. The light source was changed to paraffin in 1910, and then to an automated acetylene system in 1929; this meant that there was no further need for keepers to be permanently accommodated on site, and the keepers' cottages were then sold. In 1947 the light was electrified and given a new group flashing characteristic: three flashes ever 30 seconds. The tower is tall, putting the lantern at above sea level. The lighthouse is painted white with three red bands and has a light characteristic of Fl30s at a height of with a range of. It continues to use the optic installed in 1868. The other lighthouse - the "low light" - was lower. Together they formed a pair of range lights that marked a safe passage around the southern end of the offshore Haisborough Sands to a stretch of safe waters known as 'The Would'.
Independence
In 1987 Happisburgh was one of five lighthouses declared redundant by Trinity House and deactivation was planned for June 1988. Villagers organised a petition to oppose the closure, and as a result the date was postponed. Under the Merchant Shipping Act of 1894, Trinity House may dispose of a working lighthouse only to an established Lighthouse Authority. On 25 April 1990 the Happisburgh Lighthouse Act received the Royal Assent establishing the Happisburgh Lighthouse Trust as a Local Light Authority, and Happisburgh became the only independently run operational lighthouse in Great Britain. In June 2018, the lighthouse was repainted. At a cost of £20,000, the work took two weeks by a specialist team of four painters. The 300 litres of specially mixed masonry paints used was donated by a paint company. Friends of Happisburgh Lighthouse, said: “The re-paint demonstrates our continuing commitment to maintaining Happisburgh lighthouse for future generations.”
