Portland Bill Lighthouse

Name: Portland Bill Lighthouse
Address: Portland Bill Lighthouse Centre, Isle of Portland, Portland, GB
Telephone: +44130520821050

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Towers & observation decks ·Portland ·Closed

4.68.7K

#2Things to do in Isle of Portland Dorset EnglandMost reviewed in PortlandTravelers' Choice 2026

Visit: 45 min
from GBP 7

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About

Portland Bill Lighthouse is a working lighthouse on Portland Bill, Isle of Portland, with a 41-metre red-and-white-striped tower.

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Why go

Climb 153 steps to the lantern gallery for views over the Dorset Coast, Jurassic Coast and Portland Race.
Try the visitor centre’s “Into The Dark” zone, which simulates a stormy sea journey.
Hear the restored Type F fog signal during occasional visitor demonstrations.

Opening hours

Today10:30 – 16:30Show all

Monday10:30 – 16:30

Tuesday10:30 – 16:30

Wednesday10:30 – 16:30

Thursday10:30 – 16:30

Friday10:30 – 16:30

Saturday10:30 – 16:30

Sunday10:30 – 16:30

Know before you go Best time to visit

Know before you go

Open daily from 10:30 to 16:30.
Climbers must be at least 1.1 metres tall.

Best time to visit

Visit in summer to climb the tower.

Interesting facts4

1/4

20 seconds
The light flashes four times every 20 seconds.
Portland Bill Lighthouse - Wikipedia
3.5 seconds
In fog, the horn sounds for 3.5 seconds every 30 seconds.
Portland Bill Lighthouse - Wikipedia
One of the preserved earlier lighthouses is used as a bird observatory.
Portland Bill Lighthouse - Wikipedia
The lighthouse and its boundary walls are Grade II listed.
Portland Bill Lighthouse - Wikipedia

Shorts

History

Trinity House rebuilt them in 1869, then planned a replacement at Bill Point around the turn of the 20th century.

1716Two earlier lighthouses were built to guide ships between Portland Race and The Shambles.
1869Trinity House rebuilt the two earlier lighthouses.
1903Wakeham Bros. began building the foundations for a replacement lighthouse.
1905The present lighthouse was completed.
1906Its light first shone on 11 January.

Show all

1996The lighthouse was automated and came under remote control from Harwich.
2019–2020LED lighting and a new omnidirectional fog signal were installed.

Sources: Portland Bill Lighthouse - Wikipedia · Isle of Portland - Wikivoyage (see) · Portland Bill Lighthouse - Wikipedia · Phare de Portland Bill - Wikipedia · checked 28 Oct 2026

Where

Portland Bill Lighthouse Centre, Isle of Portland

Website: portlandbilllighthouse.co.uk/
Phone: +44130520821050

Plan from here: A day out →

Questions and answers

How long does a Portland Bill Lighthouse tour take?

About 45 minutes, including a climb of 153 steps.

When is Portland Bill Lighthouse open?

Daily from 10:30 to 16:30.

How do I get to Portland Bill Lighthouse?

Follow the brown tourist signs for Portland Bill or take bus service 1X.

Can children climb Portland Bill Lighthouse?

Climbers must be at least 1.1 metres tall.

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