Shoreham Lighthouse

Shoreham Lighthouse in Adur, West Sussex, is a stone lighthouse standing right beside the entrance to Shoreham Harbour on Kingston Beach. The official heritage record calls it Kingston Lighthouse and gives it Grade II listed status. It is one of the best-known landmarks on the coast between Brighton and Worthing.

When was it built and what was it for?

The tower dates from the mid-nineteenth century. Historic England records the year as 1846, which matches the date carved on the lintel, although local sources mention 1842 as when work began. Together with a smaller light on the middle pier, it formed a pair of range lights that lined ships up with the narrow harbour mouth. It started with oil lamps, switched to gas in the 1880s, and was electrified in 1952.

What does it look like?

A slim, tapering tower of dressed stone about 13 metres tall, set on a moulded plinth. The top is a round timber lantern room ringed by railings, with a large south-facing window. The roof is a many-sided hipped cap crowned with a weathervane in the shape of a ball and arrow. The light carries roughly 10 nautical miles out to sea. A major repair was carried out in 1985-86.

How do you get there?

The lighthouse is at Kingston Buci in the Southwick area, next to the RNLI lifeboat station and close to the harbour entrance. From the centre of Shoreham-by-Sea it is a few kilometres along the waterfront on foot, or a short drive along Brighton Road. The nearest railway stations are Shoreham-by-Sea and Southwick, each around a 20-30 minute walk away.

What else is nearby?

• The harbour mouth and working quays of Shoreham Port, where cargo ships and lifeboats come and go.
• Kingston Beach, a shingle shore with views of the two breakwaters built in 1957 to hold back drifting shingle.
• A coastal walking route along the River Adur towards Shoreham Beach.
• The RNLI station next door.

When is the best time to visit?

Choose a clear day between late spring and early autumn, or the hour before sunset, when the stone glows warm. In winter the wind off the Channel is dramatic but makes for a bracing walk.

Frequently asked questions

Can you go inside the lighthouse? It is a protected navigation structure managed by the port, so it is normally viewed from outside. Check current information before you go.

Is it a listed building? Yes. It is on the National Heritage List for England at Grade II, listed in 1972.

Is there an entry fee for the beach? No. Kingston Beach is open to everyone and needs no ticket.

Why does it have several names? You will see Shoreham Lighthouse, Kingston Lighthouse and Shoreham Light, because it stands where Shoreham, Kingston Buci and Southwick meet.