Lighthouse on the market in Burnham-on-Sea

The eight-storey building was bought in 1955 by a television journalist who was sent out to cover the story of Britain's first automated lighthouse being up for sale.

He liked it so much he ended up buying the property himself at auction and converted it into a into a three-bedroom bolthole.

Now the owner of Burnham High Lighthouse is selling up after many years renting it to holidaymakers in Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset.

Sarah Lunn, who is handling the sale for estate agent CJ Hole , said: “It’s perfect if sunset and champagne are your thing.

“I don’t think half a million pounds is a lot of some people, but it’s maybe not suitable those with small children or pets.

“It would be an amazing bachelor pad.

“It is one of the safest buildings you are ever going to be in with a sprinkler system, a lightning conductor and granite walls.”

Built in 1830, the building is topped by the original lantern roo

m with a viewing platform, copper domed roof, granite balcony and Fresnel lenses.

The Grade II* listed building stands 33 metres tall and is decorated with a vertical red stripe, harking back to when it was bought from Trinity House, the lighthouse authority for England and Wales, more than 20 years ago.

Before it was decommissioned in the 1980s, the beams would guide in boats from as far away as 22 miles across the Bristol Channel.

The views on a clear day take in South Wales and Exmoor.

Each of the rooms on the eight floors is round, and overlooks sand dunes dotted with residential homes. A glass floor separates the kitchen and dining room.

Ms Lunn added: “Nothing needs any work.

“With 120 steps you’d need to be quite fit to live in there, if you were going to make it your home.

“It is not for the faint hearted. I think you need to be quite fit.

“There is a balcony at the top where you can where you can sit with a glass of champagne and watch the sun go down.

“There is a spiral staircase, going from the living room to the sixth floor, and the final one is a ladder.”

Nautical details have been added to the building, including a huge ship’s bell, antique barometer, enormous bronze portholes and original bronze air vents, more commonly found on classic yachts.

Many of the original features remain, including the historic glass Fresnel lenses in the lantern room, and the dramatic vaulted domed brick ceiling on the ground floor.

The tower has been updated with a reinforced glass floor, and a French cast-iron roll top bath with capacity for two people is in one of the bathrooms.

The lighthouse is being sold by CJ Hole in Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset, with a guide price of £525,000.