- * Portland
Bill (3) Lower
- 1869 (station established 1716). Inactive since 1906. Approx. 25
m (82 ft) round stone tower with lantern and gallery, painted white,
attached to a 2-story annex building. Detached 2-story keeper's house.
The Bill of Portland is a sharp cape at the south end of a peninsula,
joined to the mainland by a narrow isthmus, and with very dangerous
shoals offshore. Three pairs of range lighthouses, built in 1716,
1759, and 1869, respectively, guided ships until replaced by a single
lighthouse in 1906. With three standing lighthouses, Portland Bill
is one of England's best-known light stations. Huelse's historic postcard
view shows the original appearance of this lighthouse. The lantern
of the old lower light was removed; for a time the keeper's houses
were used as a tearoom. In 1961 the complex was reopened as a bird
observatory and ecological field station. A replica lantern was installed;
it serves as an observation point for birds, which tend to concentrate
at the Bill during migration. Accommodations
are available in the lighthouse and adjacent keeper's house. Located
on Portland Bill Road about 800 m (1/2 mi) northeast of the active
lighthouse; Google has a satellite
view. Accessible by road from Portland, but public parking is
some distance away. Site open; tower closed except for paying guests
and Observatory members. Owner/site manager: Portland
Bird Observatory and Field Centre. ARLHS ENG-109.
- * Portland
Bill (3) Higher
- 1869 (station established 1716). Inactive since 1906. Approx. 12
m (40 ft) round stone tower with lantern and gallery, painted white,
attached to two 1-story keeper's houses. Additional 2-story keeper's
residence. After deactivation, this lighthouse was sold as a private
residence. After being vacant and deteriorating for 15 years, the
light station has recently been renovated for overnight accommodations.
A new lantern (very different from the original) serves as an observation
point. Located about 1 km (0.6 mi) north of the active lighthouse;
Google has a satellite
view. Site open, tower closed except to paying guests. Owner/site
manager: The Old Higher
Lighthouse. ARLHS ENG-108.
- **** Portland
Bill (4)
- 1906. Active; focal plane 43 m (141 ft); white flashes with a 20
s period, but the number of flashes varies with direction from one
to four. 41.5 m (136 ft) round sandstone tower, painted white with
a single broad red horizontal band, attached to a large 2-story keeper's
house. Rotating 1° Fresnel lens. Fog horn (blast every 30 s).
An additional 2-story keeper's residence is occupied by a caretaker.
A 7 m (23 ft) triangular pyramidal stone obelisk
(1844) is near the lighthouse at the extreme point of the cape. The
obelisk is in danger from erosion of the cliff; in 2002 Trinity House
proposed to remove it, but canceled its plans after public protests.
A photo appears at the top of this page, and Huelse has a historic
postcard
view. Site open, tower open to guided
tours daily except Saturdays, April through September. Parking
provided; the light station is also accessible by buses from Weymouth.
Google has a great satellite
view. Operator: Trinity House. Site manager: The
Crown Estate. ARLHS ENG-273; Admiralty A0294; NGA 0448.
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1869 Portland Bill Low Light
1869 Portland Bill High Light
photos copyright Ian Wright; used by permission |