Hurst Castle Low Lighthouses

Hurst Castle Low Lighthouses stand at the end of Hurst Castle in Hampshire, on a narrow spit that juts into the Solent. The castle itself was built in the 16th century to guard the western approach to Portsmouth. Trinity House ordered three lighthouses in 1785, and the first Hurst light began work on 29 September 1786. It was a square tower attached to the castle wall. In 1866 a circular brick lighthouse with a red lantern replaced it. A second, taller lighthouse of metal and glass appeared beside it in 1911. The two towers are worth a visit for their engineering and history. The 1866 tower rises 26 metres and the 1911 tower reaches 34 metres. Trinity House moved the main beam to the modernised Hurst Point Lighthouse in 1997, and both old towers were painted grey to avoid confusion. The contrast between the brick cylinder and the steel frame shows how lighthouse design changed in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Visitors walk along the shingle spit to reach the castle and its lighthouses. The 1866 lantern still holds its original lens, while the 1911 tower has an iron balcony and railings. From the top of the newer tower there are views across the Solent to the Isle of Wight and along the Hampshire coast. The grey paint blends the towers into the sky, making them look like part of the castle ruins. The pebble beach and shifting shingle give a sense of isolation despite the busy shipping lanes nearby.