Belle Tout lighthouse

Belle Tout Lighthouse in Eastbourne sits on the clifftop of Beachy Head in East Sussex, and it has not guided a ship for more than a century. The stout white tower, built in the 1830s, is one of the best-known landmarks on England's south coast, and in 1999 it became famous for one of the most remarkable building relocations in the country.

Why was Belle Tout built, and why did it close?

Petitions for a light on the summit of Beachy Head reached Trinity House as early as the 1690s, but were turned down for a long time. The lighthouse was finally lit on 11 October 1834. The coast here is prone to thick sea fog that often hid a light set high on the cliff, and the chalk edge kept crumbling. By 1896 the tower stood about 30 feet (9 m) closer to the edge than when it was built.

The answer was a new lighthouse at the foot of the cliff, out in the water. When the Beachy Head Lighthouse first shone in 1902, Belle Tout was decommissioned. Do not confuse the two: the red-and-white tower in the sea is a different building.

Why was the building moved in 1999?

After closing, the tower served as a private home, a tea shop and a film location. Erosion carried on, though, and by the 1990s the building was dangerously close to the drop. In 1999 the entire structure, weighing around 850 tons, was slid inland in one piece. Engineers used hydraulic jacks and rails, shifting it back from the edge by a few tens of feet and buying it several more decades.

Can you go inside?

Belle Tout is a Grade II listed building. It is not a museum. After a renovation that cost close to a million pounds, it reopened in 2010 as a luxury bed and breakfast. Guests stay a minimum of two nights, the minimum age is 16, and dogs are not accepted. Prices and rules change, so check with the owners before booking. If you are not staying, you can admire the tower from outside and from the path.

How do you get there, and what will you see?

The lighthouse stands on the South Downs Way, between the Beachy Head cliff and the hamlet of Birling Gap. Grassy downland rolls down to the English Channel, and from the cliff you look over white chalk faces, open sea and the Beachy Head Lighthouse far below. From central Eastbourne you can walk the clifftop path to the spot, passing viewpoints on the way. Morning and late-afternoon light are best for photos. Expect wind on the cliff and keep well back from the edge.

Frequently asked questions

Is Belle Tout still a working lighthouse?

No. Its light went out in 1902, when the Beachy Head Lighthouse at the base of the cliff took over.

When and why was it moved?

In 1999, in one piece, because cliff erosion threatened the tower. The roughly 850-ton move was carried out on hydraulic jacks.

Can I stay overnight?

Yes. A B&B has operated here since 2010, with a two-night minimum and a minimum guest age of 16. Confirm details and prices with the owners.

How is Belle Tout different from the Beachy Head Lighthouse?

Belle Tout stands on top of the cliff and has been out of service since 1902. The Beachy Head Lighthouse is the red-and-white tower from 1902 standing in the sea at the cliff's foot.