Old Higher Lighthouse

The Old Higher Lighthouse in 2007.

The Old Higher Lighthouse is a disused lighthouse on the Isle of Portland, Dorset, England. The lighthouse is situated on the west side of Portland, and at the higher part of Portland Bill - known as Branscombe Hill. The lighthouse, its four cottages and boundary walls have been Grade II Listed since September 1978.[1][2]

Working alongside the Old Lower Lighthouse from 1716, the higher lighthouse was rebuilt in 1869, as seen today. Since 1961 the lighthouse has been the home of the Portland Bird Observatory. The lighthouse is situated close to the NCI Portland Bill Lookout Station.

History

The surrounding coast of Portland, namely Portland Bill and Chesil Beach, have been notorious for the many vessels that became shipwrecked in the area over the centuries.[3] From Roman times, beacon fires would be lit on Branscombe Hill to warn passing ships of the danger.[4] During the early 18th-century, a petition to Trinity House had been put forward for a lighthouse. Despite support from shipowners and the Corporation of Weymouth, Trinity House opposed any suggestions of a lighthouse. The demand continued for over a decade until Trinity House finally conceded that a lighthouse at the Bill was necessary. George I granted Trinity House's patent on 26 May 1716.[3][4] Trinity House then issued a 61-year lease to William Barrett and Francis Browne at a price of £100, to build and maintain one or more lighthouses.[5]

One lighthouse was built at the top of Branscombe Hill, while the other was situated on lower land near the cliff-edge.[4] The two lighthouses shone out for the first time on 29 September 1716. However over time Trinity House were made aware that the lights were being poorly maintained. Trinity House carried out an inspection during 1752, and this led to the termination of the lease, with all responsibilities of the lighthouses reverted back to Trinity House.[3] In 1788 Trinity House had Argand lamps installed within the higher lighthouse - the first lighthouse in England to be fitted with them.[6] By the mid-19th century Trinity House began to express dissatisfaction with the current lighthouses. In 1869 Trinity House had both lighthouses rebuilt to allow for better improvements to be made.[3][6]

At the turn of the 20th-century, Trinity House put forward plans for the building of a new lighthouse on the very edge of Bill Point, to replace both current lighthouses.[6][3] Work commenced on building the new lighthouse in October 1903.[7] It was completed in 1905, and first shone on 11 January 1906.[4] From that point the higher and lower lighthouses became disused.[4] The two lighthouses were auctioned, and the higher lighthouse was sold at the auction to W. Spackman of London.[8]

In 1923 the lighthouse was purchased by the doctor, pioneer of birth control and Portland Museum founder Marie Stopes. She had chosen the building as a summer residence, and continued to use it as such until her death in 1958. Over her time at the lighthouse, some of Stope's guest visitors included George Bernard Shaw, H. G. Wells and Thomas Hardy.[9] During the Second World War, the Royal Observer Corps (ROC) used the lighthouse tower as a lookout.[10] Stopes also decided to rent the lighthouse during the war to naval officers.[11]

During the early 1960s the lighthouse was run as a restaurant.[12] However by the mid-1960s, it had become empty and derelict.[13] The property's latest owners bought the lighthouse in 1981 and refurbished the entire property. The lighthouse's paraffin store was converted into a holiday let, and access to the tower was made open to guests. With a total of four cottages within its grounds, both the Branscombe Lodge Cottage and Stopes Cottage remain available as holiday lets.[14]

References

  1. ↑ "Old Higher Lighthouse Stopes Cottage | Portland Bill | | Dorset And Somerset | Self Catering Holiday Cottage". Sykescottages.co.uk. 1 November 2012. Retrieved 16 November 2012.
  2. ↑ Historic England. "Details from listed building database (1203104)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 19 January 2013.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 "Portland Bill". trinityhouse.co.uk. Retrieved 13 June 2015.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 "Portland – Three Lighthouses Walk". dorsetlife.co.uk. Retrieved 13 June 2015.
  5. ↑ Legg, Rodney (1999). Portland Encyclopaedia. Dorset Publishing Company. p. 68. ISBN 978-0948699566.
  6. 1 2 3 "Portland Year Book". ancestry.com. Retrieved 13 June 2015.
  7. ↑ "Portland Year Book". ancestry.com. Retrieved 13 June 2015.
  8. ↑ Mackenzie, Roy (1999). Portland: A Topographical and Historical Gazetteer. p. 23.
  9. ↑ http://www.oldhigherlighthouse.com/history.html
  10. ↑ Historic England. "Monument No. 1413281". PastScape. Retrieved 3 October 2015.
  11. ↑ http://www.oldhigherlighthouse.com/history.html
  12. ↑ "675690". geoffkirby.co.uk. Retrieved 13 June 2015.
  13. ↑ http://www.oldhigherlighthouse.com/history.html
  14. ↑ http://www.oldhigherlighthouse.com/history.html

External links

Coordinates: 50°31′20″N 2°27′23″W / 50.5223°N 2.4564°W / 50.5223; -2.4564

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