Portland Bill Lighthouse Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids
Portland Bill Lighthouse
Location	Portland Bill Isle of Portland Dorset England
Coordinates	50°30′51″N 2°27′23″W / 50.514155°N 2.456383°W / 50.514155; -2.456383
Year first constructed	1903-05
Year first lit	1906
Automated	1996
Construction	sandstone tower
Tower shape	tapered cylindrical tower with balcony and lantern
Markings / pattern	white tower with a red horizontal band, white lantern
Height	41 metres (135 ft)
Focal height	43 metres (141 ft)
Original lens	1st order catadioptric rotating (original), LED lantern (current)
Range	18 nautical miles (33 km; 21 mi)
Characteristic	Fl (4) W 20s.

The Portland Bill Lighthouse is a working lighthouse located at Portland Bill. This spot is on the Isle of Portland in Dorset, England. Lighthouses are tall towers with bright lights. They help guide ships safely at sea. This lighthouse and its walls are special. They are listed as a Grade II building. This means they are important historical structures.

The Portland Bill Lighthouse is the biggest and newest one in the area. It is run by Trinity House, an organization that manages lighthouses. The lighthouse stands 41 metres (135 ft) tall. It has a unique white and red striped design. It was finished in 1906. The first light shone on January 11, 1906. Its job is to guide ships through dangerous waters. It also helps ships find their way in the English Channel.

History of the Lighthouse
Modern Lighthouse Features
- Visit the Lighthouse!
Images for kids
See also

History of the Lighthouse

Before this lighthouse, there were two older ones. They were called the Old Higher Lighthouse and Old Lower Lighthouse. These two lighthouses worked together. They acted as "leading lights." This means their lights lined up to show ships a safe path. They guided ships away from a strong current called Portland Race. They also helped ships avoid The Shambles sandbank.

The first two lighthouses were built in 1716. They were rebuilt in 1869. But they were stopped from working when the new lighthouse was ready. Around 1900, Trinity House decided to build a new, stronger lighthouse. They bought the land needed in 1903.

Building work started in October 1903. Wakeham Bros. of Plymouth were the builders. A company called Chance & Co made the lantern. This is the top part where the light shines from. The lighthouse used a special lamp. It was a paraffin lamp that used pressure. This lamp was placed inside a large, spinning lens. This lens weighed 3.5 tons! It was made of four special glass panels.

The lighthouse was finished in 1905. It cost about £13,000. The light first shone on January 11, 1906. A red light also shone from a lower window. This red light warned ships about The Shambles sandbank. In the mid-1950s, the lighthouse light became electric.

Inside the lighthouse, showing the lamp and lenses in 2017.

In 1940, a fog signal was added. It was called a "diaphone" fog signal. It made a loud sound from a window higher up the tower. This sound helped ships find their way in foggy weather. The sound was a 3.5-second blast every 30 seconds. It could be heard up to 7 nmi (13 km; 8.1 mi) away. The fog signal was used regularly until 1995. Then, a new electric fog signal was put in. This was done to prepare for the lighthouse to be automated.

On March 18, 1996, the Portland Bill Lighthouse became automated. This means people no longer lived and worked there. Everything was controlled from a center in Harwich. The old diaphone fog signal was stopped in 1996. But in 2003, Trinity House fixed it. They would sound it sometimes for visitors. This happened for half an hour on Sunday mornings until 2017.

In the early 2000s, the lighthouse used a powerful lamp. It still used the same spinning lens system from 1906. This light flashed four times every 20 seconds. It was very bright and could be seen for 25 nautical miles. The fog signal would blast for four seconds every 30 seconds. It had a range of 2 nautical miles.

In 2018, Trinity House decided to update the lighthouse again. They planned to remove the old lamp and lens. They wanted to move the old lens to the bottom of the tower. This meant the historic diaphone fog signal equipment had to be removed. It was the only space available for the old lens.

Modern Lighthouse Features

In 2019 and 2020, new technology was installed. A new LED light source was put in the lantern room. This light does not spin. A new fog signal was also added outside. It sends sound in all directions. There are two LED lanterns now. One is used, and the other is a backup. Their light can be seen up to 18 nautical miles (33 km; 21 mi) away.

Visit the Lighthouse!

The Portland Bill Lighthouse is a popular place to visit. You can take tours inside the lighthouse. There is also a visitor center. It is in the old lighthouse keeper's house. The first visitor center closed in 2013. But a new, improved one opened in 2015.

Tours at the lighthouse last about 45 minutes. Visitors can climb the 153 steps to the very top! It's a great way to learn about lighthouses and see amazing views.