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The Old Lighthouse is an Historic Grade II building, listed by Shepway District Council, recently celebrating its centenary. Opened with great pomp and ceremony by His Royal Majesty the Prince of Wales in 1904 after a 3 year build, it survived two world wars before decommission in 1960. For 56 years it provided a welcome landlight to vessels negotiating the perils of the English Channel. The Lighthouse features in Nickolaus Pevsner's famous "Buildings of Kent".
This imposing building is almost 46 metres high to the top of the weather vane, 11 metres in diameter and constructed of engineering bricks with sandstone inner walls. Over three million bricks were used to build the structure. Internally there are a series of mezzanine floors made of slate and supported by steel beams and massive rivets. Each floor is linked by circular concrete stairs which hug the walls and have decorative wrought iron banisters. There are cambered casement viewing windows on all floors. The outer walkway is closed during bad weather conditions.
Climb the tower for panoramic aspects over the English Channel and the surrounding countryside. Binoculars are well worth bringing.
Dungeness Lighthouse offers unique and perfect views over the 500 cuspate shingle ridges that have formed the foreland, one of the largest in the world and the greatest example in the UK.
Experience the magic of timeless Dungeness. Discover why the Ness is so popular with Art Directors and has featured in so many films and fashion shoots.
Adjacent to the Lighthouse is Dungeness Station, the final stop of the famous Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Light Railway re-opened after WWII in 1947 by Hollywood Stars Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy. The Railway runs a regular service through from Hythe to Dungeness for most of the year.
Free Public Car Park across road.
Café, restaurant and local public house within a few minutes walk.
Tags: South Kent Maritime Heritage Heritage Attractions January February November December
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