Hurst Point Lighthouse

Hurst Point Lighthouse is a white stone tower rising 26 meters above Hurst Point, marking the western entrance to the Solent strait between mainland England and the Isle of Wight. The structure features two lights positioned at different heights to help ships navigate through these waters.

The current structure was built in 1867, replacing two earlier lighthouses from 1786 and 1812 that had guided ships through the challenging Needles Channel passage. The location became an important navigation landmark for this dangerous stretch of water.

The lighthouse forms part of a maritime complex alongside Hurst Castle, representing centuries of navigation and coastal defense traditions. Visitors can see how this structure and the castle together shaped the area's relationship with the sea.

The lighthouse operates using modern LED technology installed in 2020 and transmits a signal of four grouped flashes every 15 seconds with a range of about 13 nautical miles. The best views of the tower come from the seafront promenade in Milford-on-Sea or from the nearby Hurst Castle.

The lighthouse holds Grade II listed status, recognizing its historical importance and architectural value to the region. Despite its modern LED system, the tower retains the character of a classic Victorian navigation marker.