Killingholme High Lighthouse

Killingholme High Lighthouse is a tall brick tower in South Killingholme, North Lincolnshire, on the south bank of the Humber estuary in eastern England. It worked as one half of a leading-light pair with the nearby Low lighthouse, helping ships hold a safe line through the estuary's channel. The tower is a Grade II listed building.

What is Killingholme High Lighthouse?

It is a range light: two lights placed in a line so a pilot who saw one directly above the other knew the ship was on the right course. The High light stands further inland, the Low light closer to the water. In the 19th century this stretch of the Humber had three such towers, High plus the North Low and South Low lights. The first light here was established in 1831.

What does the tower look like?

The lighthouse is roughly 30 metres tall and has six storeys. It is a round, tapering brick tower with a rendered and painted finish, capped by a ribbed dome. A plaque on the north side records its enlargement and rebuilding in 1876–77 for Trinity House of Kingston upon Hull, which gave the tower the form you see today.

Why visit?

• It shows how shipping on the Humber, one of Britain's busiest waterways, was guided before modern electronics.
• It is a well-preserved example of Victorian navigation architecture.
• Its value as a monument lies partly in its link with the neighbouring Low lights.
• The surrounding industrial coastline of docks, jetties and the Immingham port area is part of the experience.

How do you get there?

The lighthouse stands in South Killingholme, a few kilometres north-west of Immingham docks. Driving is easiest, along local roads from Grimsby or Immingham. The land is flat, so the tower is visible from a distance. Its coordinates are about 53.647 N, 0.219 W.

When is the best time to go?

You view the tower from outside, so weather decides the timing. Clear afternoons from late spring to summer bring out the colour of the brickwork in photographs. A visit combines well with a drive along the Humber bank.

Frequently asked questions

Is the lighthouse a listed building? Yes. It has been Grade II listed on the National Heritage List for England since October 1985.

When was it built? The light was first established in 1831, and the present tower dates from the rebuild of 1876–77.

How tall is it? About 30 metres, over six storeys.

Which lighthouse is it paired with? The lower Killingholme lights, which together with the High tower marked a safe course on the Humber.