South Foreland Lighthouse






The first lighthouse to use an electric light
The first lighthouse to use an electric light
A landmark of the White Cliffs, the Victorian lighthouse was built to warn mariners of shifting sands and guide them through the Strait of Dover. A place of innovation and science, the lighthouse was the first to display an electric light anywhere in the world.
Today you can still enjoy views of the channel to the French coast by climbing all the way to the top. See what it was like to work here and what a lighthouse keeper did while on duty. Wave to ships in the channel and watch the Victorian clockwork mechanism that made the lighthouse flash.
Or for a more relaxing time just borrow a kite from us or play one of our games on the lawn. You can step back in time at Mrs Knott’s Tea-room, in the former lighthouse keeper’s cottage, and remember another world of bone china and proper leaf tea, just as it used to be.
Important info:
There's no direct vehicular access to the lighthouse. Parking is available at the White Cliffs of Dover Visitor Centre, then take a stunning 2 mile cliff top walk along the cliffs following the way-marked trail. If you prefer a shorter walk park at St Margaret's Bay (not NT) then walk up to the Pines Gardens and St Margaret’s Museum continuing on along Beach Road through South Foreland valley to the lighthouse, which is about a mile away. Please help us by using the public car parks in the village and not parking in residential areas.
Parking address: The White Cliffs of Dover National Trust visitor centre, Langdon Cliffs, Upper Rd, Guston, Dover CT16 1HJ. Satnav: The visitor centre postcode may take you to the eastern docks ferry terminal, use CT15 5NA and turn into the car park at the sharp bend.
Most of our places run the Gift Aid on Entry scheme at their admission points.
Under this scheme, if you're not a member you have the choice of two entry tickets:
If the place runs Gift Aid on Entry, we'll offer you a clear choice between the Gift Aid Admission prices and the Standard Admission prices at the admission point. It's entirely up to you which ticket you choose.
Gift Aid Admission includes a 10 per cent or more voluntary donation. Gift Aid Admissions let us reclaim tax on the whole amount paid - an extra 25 per cent - potentially a very significant boost to our places' funds.
An extra £1 paid under the scheme can be worth over £3 to the National Trust as shown below:
Gift Aid | Standard | |
---|---|---|
Amount paid by visitor | £11.00 | £10.00 |
Tax refund from Government* | £2.75 | £0.00 |
Total received by the National Trust | £13.75 | £10.00 |
*Gift Aid Admissions let us reclaim tax on the whole amount paid - an extra 25 per cent - potentially a very significant boost to our places' funds.