Portland Bill Lighthouse

Weymouth

Climb the lighthouse for spectacular views and see the historic optic now sited at the bottom of the tower.

Portland Bill Lighthouse has been standing majestically for the past one hundred and fourteen years at a height of 41 metres (135 ft). The distinctive red and white tower shone its famous four flashes of light every twenty seconds on 11 January 1906 and had a range of 25 nautical miles which has guided passing vessels through the hazardous waters around Portland Bill as well as acting as a waymark for ships navigating the English Channel. The station was re-engineered in 2019 and the optic has been removed from the lantern room and re-erected in the tower base as a display. The range of light is now 18 nautical miles.

The Visitor Centre was refurbished in 2015, thanks to the generosity of David and Alice Gestetner, and the Lighthouse looks spectacular inside and out. The work was made possible by a grant from the Trinity House Maritime Charity.

The displays and information are very interesting before you even climb a stair, but it's certainly worth all 153 steps to witness the magnificent views from out of the picture-book windows on the way up, as you stop to catch your breath! At the top in the lantern room you can see Dorset's beautiful Jurassic coast for miles. You'll even get a badge if you make it to the top and occasionally, if you have been brave, one for when you make it back down.

A great experience for all the family.

Please Note: You have to be 1.1 metres tall to climb the Lighthouse