Hereford Inlet Lighthouse
1874 Swiss Carpenter Gothic Lighthouse — Active Navigational Aid, Award-Winning Victorian Gardens, Keeper Museum, North Wildwood Cape May County NJ
Hereford Inlet Lighthouse is a historic lighthouse at 111 North Central Avenue, North Wildwood, Cape May County, New Jersey. The lighthouse features an 1874 Swiss Carpenter Gothic (Stick Style) lighthouse still active as a navigational aid, award-winning Victorian-style gardens surrounding the lighthouse grounds, a museum detailing the history of lighthouse keepers and maritime life on the Jersey Shore, a gift shop with nautical memorabilia, and one of the best-preserved Victorian lighthouses on the Atlantic Coast.
Hereford Inlet Lighthouse is New Jersey’s most charming lighthouse — the 1874 Swiss Carpenter Gothic design (Stick Style) makes it look more like a Victorian seaside cottage than a traditional lighthouse tower. The warm wood exterior and residential design reflect its dual purpose — a working lighthouse that was also the keeper’s family home.
The award-winning Victorian gardens surrounding the lighthouse are a destination in their own right — meticulously maintained plantings of 200+ varieties of flowers and shrubs create a colorful oasis in the heart of North Wildwood, earning national recognition for their design and maintenance.
Things to Do
- Lighthouse tour — 1874 interior, keeper quarters
- Victorian gardens — 200+ plant varieties
- Maritime museum — keeper history, exhibits
- Gift shop — lighthouse and nautical items
- Photography — Gothic architecture, gardens
- Active light — still navigational aid today
Park Information
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | 111 N Central Ave, North Wildwood, NJ 08260 |
| Built | 1874 — Swiss Carpenter Gothic (Stick Style) |
| Status | Active navigational aid + museum |
| Gardens | Award-winning Victorian — 200+ varieties |
| Managed By | City of North Wildwood |
| Coordinates | 39.0067° N, 74.7922° W |
Frequently Asked Questions
Wildlife & Nature
Hereford Inlet Lighthouse — a charming 1874 Victorian “Carpenter Gothic” lighthouse — one of the most photographed lighthouses on the East Coast. The surrounding gardens attract hummingbirds and butterflies. Shorebirds, terns, and skimmers feed in the inlet.
Nearby Attractions
North Wildwood — adjacent. Wildwood — 3 miles south — has the largest collection of 1950s Doo Wop architecture in the US. Cape May — 5 miles south.
Can you tour Hereford Inlet Lighthouse?
Yes — Hereford Inlet Lighthouse at 111 North Central Avenue in North Wildwood, NJ, offers guided tours of the restored 1874 Swiss Carpenter Gothic lighthouse, one of the best-preserved Victorian lighthouses on the Atlantic Coast. Still active as a navigational aid, the site features a maritime museum, award-winning Victorian gardens with 200+ plant varieties, and a gift shop. The unique Stick Style design makes it one of New Jersey’s most photogenic lighthouses.
Last updated: May 2026
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