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Southsea Castle Lighthouse
United Kingdom
Southsea Castle, historically also known as Chaderton Castle, South Castle and Portsea Castle, is an artillery fort originally constructed by Henry VIII on Portsea Island, Hampshire, in 1544. It formed part of the King's Device programme to protect against invasion from France and the Holy Roman Empire, and defended the Solent and the eastern approach to Portsmouth.
A lighthouse, commissioned by the Admiralty, was constructed on the western gun platform in 1828. In 1854 its height was raised and it now stands at 34 feet (10 m) above its base atop the walls. The lamp burned sperm oil and was installed behind a fixed dioptric; it showed red and white sectors (red and green from 1854) to guide ships through the safe water between Horse Sand and Spit Sand. The lighthouse keeper was housed in the castle itself. The lighthouse was in continuous use until 2017, when it was superseded by a new structure as part of changes made to approaches to Portsmouth Harbour in preparation for the arrival of the Royal Navy's new Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers. The original dioptric lens, which was subsequently replaced, is now on display inside the castle.
| Manufacture Date | 1904 |
|---|---|
| Lighthouse Construction | 1828 |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Commissioning Body | The British Government Admirality |
| Lens Order | 4th order |
| Lens Type | Fixed |
| Status | publish |
| Light Character | 4th order fixed and occulting |
| Lighthouse Markings | 10 m (33 ft) round cylindrical stone tower, painted white with a black horizontal band. Located atop the western rampart of the castle, marking the east side of the entrance to Portsmouth Harbour. |
| Management Body Ports Authority | Portsmouth Museum Service, Portsmouth City Council |
| Preserver | Portsmouth Museum Service, Portsmouth City Council |
| Coastal Erosion Vulnerability | |
| Open Status (Site) | Open |
| Open Status (Tower) | Closed |
| Coordinates | 50.7782626731,-1.0890561976 |
| Other | Museum entry - (Tower may be closed) Southsea Castle is free to visit. You do not need to book in advance. The museum is open 10am to 5.30pm during summer season (April to October). The museum is closed in winter, but The Courtyard cafe is open year-round. Last admission to the museum is 30 minutes before closing time. During its summer season, Southsea Castle is open Tuesday to Sunday but closed on Mondays (except for bank holidays). |
| Inactive Chance Lens Deactivated | 2017 |