Dungeness Old Lighthouse

Standing on the vast shingle headland of Dungeness, the Old Lighthouse is one of Kent’s most distinctive landmarks and a fascinating reminder of Britain’s maritime past. Opened in 1904, this striking black tower guided ships through the busy English Channel for more than half a century before being decommissioned in 1960. Today, it serves as a museum and visitor attraction, preserving the story of one of the country’s most unusual coastal landscapes. Dungeness has a lighthouse history stretching back over 400 years, with the first beacon established in 1615. Over the centuries, changing coastlines and shifting shingle banks required new lighthouses to be built. The Old Lighthouse visitors see today was the fourth major lighthouse on the site and became an important navigational aid for vessels travelling along the English Channel. Inside, visitors can climb the tower’s 169 steps and explore displays dedicated to the history of the lighthouse and the surrounding Dungeness area. Exhibits include historic photographs, lighthouse keepers’ memorabilia, logbooks, and information about the challenging lives of those who worked there. The tower also retains original features associated with its operation, allowing visitors to appreciate the engineering behind lighthouse navigation.