Portland Bill High Light

Portland Bill High Light is a white cylindrical lighthouse standing on the southern tip of Portland peninsula in England. The tower rises about 12 meters above the rocky coastal landscape and overlooks the convergence of shipping routes in the English Channel.

The lighthouse was designed and built in 1869 by engineer James Nicholas Douglass to guide ships through the treacherous waters at Portland Bill. Its construction addressed the growing need for safer navigation at this critical point where shipping routes converge.

The structure represents British maritime engineering excellence and forms part of a network of lighthouses protecting ships along the English coastline.

The lighthouse sits on the rugged Portland Bill headland, accessible to visitors via coastal footpaths and nearby roads. Weather conditions can be harsh with strong winds and sudden changes, so appropriate clothing is advisable when visiting.

The structure retains its original mechanical systems and rotating lens mechanism installed during construction. Visitors can observe from outside the intricate details of this Victorian engineering work and how it once operated as a working light.

Location: Portland

Inception: 1869

Architects: James Nicholas Douglass

Height: 12 m

GPS coordinates: 50.52230,-2.45643

Latest update: December 12, 2025 12:01