Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

Dover breakwater knuckle lighthouse is one of two lighthouses constructed on the breakwater in 1909. This one is located towards the north eastern end of the breakwater on a concrete service building and is 16m high. (location accurate to the nearest 1m based on available information)

Monument Types

• LIGHTHOUSE (Modern - 1909 AD to 2050 AD)

Full description

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The short tower on the knuckle (bend) of Dover's main breakwater is a small 16 metre high tower mounted upon a rectangular service-building. The Lighthouse was most likely produced by the large Birmingham based lighthouse manufacturing firm 'Chance Brothers', as we know it was a standardised design as was the matching light-tower at the western end of the wall. Other lighthouses of this design can be seen around the world but many lack their original lanterns.(1)

It is located approximately three quarters of the way down the length of the breakwater to the east, marking the point where the breakwater begins to curve to the north. The Knuckle Light sits on a large rectangular granite plinth, constructed of cast iron painted white; the lighthouse has three stages and is cylindrical, stepping in above the first stage. An external walkway, supported on brackets surrounds the dome-headed light. (2)

<1> Worldwide Lighthouses, 2011, Worldwide Lighthouses -Dover Breakwater Knuckle Lighthouse (Website). SKE52188.

<2> English Heritage, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest (Map). SKE16160.

Sources and further reading

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