Prince of Wales Pier light

Prince of Wales Pier light is the small lighthouse marking the seaward end of Prince of Wales Pier in Dover Harbour, Kent. A slim white tower on the English Channel, it has shown a green signal to ships for over a century. The pier itself is a Grade II listed structure on the National Heritage List for England.

What is the lighthouse like?

The tower is a tapering granite structure, painted white. It stands on a moulded plinth, carries a moulded cornice with a handrail, and is topped by a cylindrical lantern with a metal weathervane. Lighthouse databases list it as active, showing a very quick flashing green light, and name Dover Harbour Board as its operator. The date given for the present tower and the light is 1902.

Who built the pier, and when?

Sir John Coode, one of the leading harbour engineers of Victorian Britain, designed the pier in 1890-92. He died before it was finished, and the work was completed by Coode, Son and Mathews. The foundation stone went in during 1893 (some sources say 1892) and the pier was finished in 1902. It was built to shelter the eastern side of the harbour and to provide berths for cross-Channel steamers and transatlantic liners. The listing cites it as the only Dover harbour structure designed by Coode, which is a main reason for its protected status.

Why is part of it hidden today?

When the Hoverport Terminal was built in 1978, a section of the pier was covered over and the original railings were replaced with concrete panels. The lighthouse has had its own mishap: an impact twisted the upper part of the tower about a foot out of line with its base. The lantern was refurbished and painted at the pier head, then craned back into place. The harbour board turned out to have an original spare glass lens in its stores.

How do you get there and what is nearby?

The pier lies in Dover's Western Docks, beside the old hoverport site. Dover is a major ferry port, so expect ships coming and going, and on a clear day the French coast shows across the Channel. The listing places the pier below Western Heights, so the light fits easily into a walk that also takes in Dover Castle and the town's other fortifications.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Prince of Wales Pier light still working?

Yes. Lighthouse databases list it as operational, with a very quick flashing green light, run by Dover Harbour Board.

When was it built?

The pier was designed in 1890-92, its foundation stone was laid in 1893 and it was completed in 1902, the year the light is recorded as established.

Is it a listed building?

Yes. Prince of Wales Pier is Grade II listed, with the entry dated 1 December 1975.

What is the tower made of?

Granite, painted white, with a tapering form, a moulded plinth and cornice, and a cylindrical lantern topped by a weathervane.