Anvil Point Lighthouse, Navigation lighthouse in Durlston Country Park, Dorset, England
Anvil Point Lighthouse is a stone tower rising 12 meters above the cliffs, fitted with a fourth-order optic system featuring six rotating panels. A white flash occurs every 10 seconds, with the light beam extending more than 9 nautical miles across the English Channel.
Trinity House built this coastal lighthouse in 1881 to guide vessels away from the dangers of Christchurch Ledge and Portland Bill. The structure received an explosive fog signal system in 1894 that produced warning blasts every five minutes.
The lighthouse reflects Victorian maritime traditions and serves today as both a navigation aid and visitor accommodation. It shows how people used this location to guide their vessels safely through dangerous waters.
The lighthouse sits within Durlston Country Park and can be reached on foot via coastal paths that traverse the landscape. Visitors should prepare for changeable weather and wear sturdy footwear, as access involves walking over uneven terrain.
The fog signal system from 1894 employed a small cannon that fired warning blasts into the air automatically every five minutes. This unusual safety system was an innovative way to alert ships in fog about nearby hazards.
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