Portland Bill Lighthouse - Image 1

Portland Bill Lighthouse

Portland, United Kingdom•4.6(6.8k)•Heritage Site, Museum

Climb 155 steps to the top of this iconic 41-metre lighthouse for spectacular Jurassic Coast views, or explore the interactive maritime visitor centre with historical exhibits.

Portland Bill Lighthouse stands majestically at 41 metres tall on the south point of Portland Bill, where it has guided passing vessels through hazardous waters for generations while serving as a waymark for ships navigating the English Channel. Recognized as one of the top ten percent of tourist attractions in the world by TripAdvisor 2023, this iconic landmark offers visitors multiple ways to experience its maritime heritage. Families can climb the 155 steps to the Lantern Room for fantastic panoramic views of the Jurassic Coast and Portland Bill (minimum height requirement: 1.10 metres). For those preferring not to climb, the visitor centre features the "Dark & Light" exhibition with informative displays, historical artefacts, and the engaging "Into the Dark" zone that brings the lighthouse's story to life. The charming gift shop is free to browse and offers interesting gifts for all ages and budgets. The venue welcomes dogs in the visitor centre and shop (though not up the tower), and is accessible with pushchairs in the ground-level facilities. Children of all ages can enjoy the visitor centre, though climbers must be able to ascend and descend stairs unaided and wear suitable footwear. This is an ideal destination for families seeking outdoor adventure combined with educational maritime history.
OFFICIAL WEBSITE

Opening Hours

Monday: 10:00 – 17:00
Tuesday: 10:00 – 17:00
Wednesday: 10:00 – 17:00
Thursday: 10:00 – 17:00
Friday: 10:00 – 17:00
Saturday: 10:00 – 17:00
Sunday: 10:00 – 17:00

Venue Details

Venue Type

Indoor & Outdoor

Typical visit duration

All day

Booking

Walk-in

Recommended ages

0 months (newborn)+

What this place offers

ToiletsToilets
Public transportPublic transport nearby
Accessible toilets
Free WiFi
Baby changingBaby changing facilities
Food available
On-site parking
🐕Dog-friendly
Parking nearby
Pushchair friendlyPushchair friendly

Google Reviews

4.6(6.8k reviews)
G
Graham Elliott

Graham Elliott

3 weeks ago

Large carpark with separate area for camper vans. Payment is contactless unless you have prepaid. The toilets are free and clean. Decent footwear recommended if you intend to walk past the Lighthouse and amongst the stones. The Lobster Pot serves a good selection of food.

T
Tom Kitcher

Tom Kitcher

2 months ago

Great experience at Portland Bill lighthouse. The walks around the lighthouse are beautiful, and full of great coastline. The lighthouse itself is amazing, and we even did the guided tour to the top, which is a bargain £9 each for what you get. The tour was full of interesting history, and the views were stunning on the top! The cafe next door was great, and toilets were clean. Overall a great trip!

M
Melanie Foster

Melanie Foster

3 months ago

Such a beautiful spot and a lovely lighthouse. We visited both in the afternoon and then returned to see the sunset. There is a large car park right next to the lighthouse and you can have a lovely walk around the whole area. It is a beautiful spot and definitely worth a visit! We loved it!!!

S
Sue Roberts

Sue Roberts

4 months ago

Went to this place just to find what is was all about The weather was amazing blue skies sunny warm and not too many crowds of people There were free public toilets clean tidy and well maintained The lighthouse was all bright looked like it had been painted recently . Car park was little expensive £5 upwards depending on your stay There was a shop cafe and loads of places to climb up and over The cliff edge is steep so he careful if you have run away kids We had ice cream with a flake cost £6.95 for 2 The restaurant was I felt pricey and cafe take out chip at £6.50 so take a picnic and drinks with you if your watching your pennies The shop did cater for tourist so again depends on what you want from the shop Overall the day trip was well worth it and yes I would go again Go find out yourselves

A
Adam Walsh

Adam Walsh

5 months ago

Fascinating, great views from the top, the tour guide was very knowledgeable. Takes about 30-40 minutes for a tour (you need to be part of a tour to ascend it, but it's free to enter just the shop part). The final set of stairs are very steep but there are hand holds to help, so as long as you're mobile you should be able to make it to the top

Reviews last updated: 6 October 2026

Events at Portland Bill Lighthouse

No upcoming events scheduled

Check back soon for new events at this venue.

This venue was last updated on 6 October 2026

Frequently asked questions about Portland Bill Lighthouse

Is Portland Bill Lighthouse free to visit?

Portland Bill Lighthouse is a paid attraction — see the official website for current ticket prices.

What ages is Portland Bill Lighthouse suitable for?

Portland Bill Lighthouse is suitable for visitors of all ages, from babies through to adults.

Is Portland Bill Lighthouse dog-friendly?

Yes, dogs are welcome at Portland Bill Lighthouse.

Is there parking at Portland Bill Lighthouse?

Yes, Portland Bill Lighthouse has on-site parking.

Is there food at Portland Bill Lighthouse?

Portland Bill Lighthouse doesn't have food on site — bring snacks or grab something nearby.

Is Portland Bill Lighthouse pushchair-friendly?

Yes, Portland Bill Lighthouse is pushchair, pram and buggy friendly — most areas are step-free so you can navigate easily with little ones in tow.

How long should we plan to spend at Portland Bill Lighthouse?

Portland Bill Lighthouse is a full-day experience — plan accordingly.

How do I get to Portland Bill Lighthouse by public transport?

Portland Bill Lighthouse is well-served by public transport.
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