Portland Bill

United Kingdom

Portland Bill originally had two lighthouses, the Old Lower Lighthouse and the Old Higher Lighthouse, constructed in 1716 and re-built in 1869. They were decommissioned when the current one was opened in 1906.

Manufacture Date The Chance Brothers lens was fitted in 1905 and first lit in 1906. The lens had four asymmetrical catadioptric lens panels and a concave prismatic reflector.
Lighthouse Construction In 1906 a new lighthouse at Bill Point was built to replace the two old ones.
Country United Kingdom
Commissioning Body Trinity House
Lens Order 1st order
Lens Type Revolving
Status publish
Light Character FL 4 20S 18 NM
Lighthouse Markings 41 metre sandstone tower painted white with a red horizontal strip in the middle.
Lighthouse Parts The lantern, pressurised vapour paraffin lamp, diaphone fog horn
Management Body Ports Authority Trinity House
Preserver Trinity House Maritime Charity, with a large number of volunteers manning the museum and giving lighthouse tours.
Coastal Erosion Vulnerability
Climate Change Impact Observations No
Condition Observations Excellent condition, one of Britain's landmark lighthouses and tourist attractions.
Open Status (Site) Open
Open Status (Tower) Open
Coordinates 50.5141105892,-2.4563933271
Other The lighthouse was the subject of a book and documentary film, Keepers of the Light, which give a beautifully illustrated history of the lighthouse and its current functioning. Video: https://youtu.be/3_DPxQo6iW0
Inactive Chance Lens Deactivated 2019

Lighthouse Location

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