- Beachy Head Lighthouse is in East Sussex, England.
- Iconic red-and-white striped tower
- Check access, weather and local guidance before travelling.
About Beachy Head Lighthouse
Beachy Head Lighthouse is the iconic red-and-white striped tower standing at the foot of the chalk cliffs below Beachy Head, one of the most photographed lighthouses in Britain. It replaced an earlier clifftop light and remains an operational Trinity House station.
The story of Beachy Head Lighthouse
The present lighthouse was built in 1902 by Trinity House engineer Sir William Douglass, replacing the earlier Belle Tout lighthouse on the cliff top which had become obscured by fog and threatened by erosion. The 43-metre tower was built at sea level at the foot of the cliffs and first lit by a vaporised paraffin lamp. It was electrified in 1920 and automated in 1983. In 2011 a public appeal raised funds to repaint the tower's distinctive red and white bands after Trinity House proposed leaving it plain.
Visiting with care
The lighthouse is best viewed from the clifftop at Beachy Head or from the beach at low tide, reached by a steep path from Bunners Wait. The nearby Belle Tout lighthouse, the earlier clifftop tower, has been converted into a bed and breakfast and is also worth visiting.
Interesting facts
- Built in 1902 by Sir William Douglass to replace Belle Tout lighthouse.
- The 43-metre tower stands at sea level beneath the chalk cliffs.
- A public appeal in 2011 funded repainting of its red-and-white stripes.
- It was automated in 1983 after 81 years of manned service.
Getting there
Parking and access details — check locally for the latest information.