Hurst Point Lighthouse

The original lighthouse was the Hurst Tower, sited to the south west of the old Hurst Castle and lit for the first time on 29 September 1786. Richard Jupp was the architect which was undertaken at the same time as the erection of two other lights nearby: one on St Catherine's Down and the other on the clifftop above The Needles (it being envisaged that the three would be used in conjunction). The red, brick-built Hurst Tower displayed a fixed white light, but the north-west part of the lantern was 'darkened' to prevent it confusing vessels navigating further along the coast to the west. The Hurst Tower light was found to be obscured behind the Needles from certain directions; consequently,…

The High Lighthouse is still working today, having been converted from acetylene to electric power in 1997. A small lighthouse-related museum is maintained by the Association of Lighthouse Keepers in the casemates of the castle. Both the 1866 and the 1911 Low Lights, though decommissioned, remain in place: (painted grey to camouflage them and prevent confusion for mariners). The 1911 lantern still contains its old lamp and lens.