Portland Bill Lighthouse, Dorset.

The photo shows the distinctive lighthouse at Portland Bill.

Portland Bill has long been associated with lighthouses, with the first actual lighthouse dating back to 1716, although prior to this date beacons were lit as a warning of the potential dangers to passing ships.

The first lighthouse used coal fires to operate the lights until eventually being replaced with oil lamps. Portland Bill was in fact the first lighthouse to utilise oil lamps to power their warning lights.

The present lighthouse at Portland Bill was constructed at a cost of £13,000 and was first officially lit on 11th January 1906. The impressive structure stands at a height of 35 metres and attracts a host of visitors annually.

The lighthouse itself is naturally the main attraction however; the area around the lighthouse also offers a souvenir shop and café together with a large car park and toilet facilities.

Today the lighthouse is unmanned and has been since 18th March 1996, when operations transferred to Trinity House Operations Control Centre at Harwich.