The Old Lighthouse
Dungeness, Coast
Image: The Old Lighthouse DungenessImage: The Old Lighthouse Dungeness
The Old Lighthouse is a Grade II listed tower on the shingle at Dungeness, opened in 1904 and in service until 1960. Climb the 169 steps for panoramic views over Romney Marsh and the Channel, and see the Great Lens and Sector Light on the way. It suits families and anyone exploring Dungeness, and takes about an hour.
Highlights
- 169 steps to 360 degree views over Romney Marsh and the Channel
- Close-up look at the Great Lens and the Sector Light
- A certificate for every visitor who reaches the top
- Shop with local books, maritime charts and postcards
- Licensed for civil marriage ceremonies inside the tower
Good to know
- Dogs are not allowed inside the lighthouse building
- Bring binoculars for wildlife and landscape spotting from the top
- A café, restaurant and pub are within easy walking distance
Getting there
The Old Lighthouse, Dungeness Road, Dungeness, Romney Marsh, Kent, TN29 9NAParking: Free car park next to the lighthouse.
Get directionsChecked on 15 October 2026 against dungenesslighthouse.com, dungenesslighthouse.com. Details change, so please confirm with the venue before you travel. How we check
Nearby
Photo: Dr Astrid Stilma, CC BY-SA 4.0Dungeness National Nature Reserve
Dungeness is one of the largest shingle landscapes in the world, a strange and beautiful place of wooden houses, lighthouses, power stations and gravel pits. The National Nature Reserve is home to around 600 plant species and is a great spot for migrating birds in spring and autumn. Spend a few hours walking the paths, then visit the Old Lighthouse, the RSPB reserve or the miniature railway terminus.
Image: Creative FolkestoneProspect Cottage
Prospect Cottage is the former home of the artist, filmmaker and gardener Derek Jarman, set on the shingle at Dungeness with his famous garden around it. Guided, timed visits let you step inside to see the rooms and artworks where he lived and worked. It suits art and film lovers and needs about an hour, with time to look at the garden afterwards.
Image: RSPB DungenessRSPB Dungeness
RSPB Dungeness protects a wide stretch of shingle, freshwater pits, wet grassland and wildflower meadows on the Dungeness peninsula. Follow the level Discovery Trail between the hides to watch the birdlife, and pick up sightings at the visitor centre. It suits birdwatchers and anyone curious about this unusual landscape.