Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

Grade II listed building. Main construction periods 1691 to 1899 North Foreland Lighthouse is a Grade II listed 18th century building. It was originally constructed as a wooden tower in 1636 but after this structure burnt down in 1683 it was replaced in 1732 by an octagonal brick and flint tower. It was heightened in 1793 but it was lowered again at the end of 19th century. Prominent features of the lighthouse were two ash chutes resembling gargoyles and an ingenious internal shaft up which the fuel was hoisted.

Images

Monument Types

• SITE (Post Medieval - 1691 AD to 1899 AD)
• LIGHTHOUSE (Post Medieval to Modern - 1732 AD to 2007 AD)

Full description

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Description from record TR 36 NE 131:
[TR 39866962] Lighthouse (NAT) (1) The North Foreland Lighthouse, North Foreland Road, Broadstairs. Grade II. Built in 1732 altered in 1790 and again at the end of C19. Stuccoed octangonal tower. (2) [For full description see list] North Foreland Lighthouse. Built in the late 17th century, heightenedin 1793, and the flint and brick facing hidden. Lowered again in the late 19th century. (3) TR 398696 North Foreland Lighthouse. The original lighthouse, built in 1636, was a wooden tower. Burnt down in 1683 it was replaced by an octagonal brick and flint tower, c40ft (12m) high with a fire basket on top. In 1793 the height was increased to c85 ft (26m) with an oil lit lantern on top. (4) Prominent features of the lighthouse were two ash chutes resembling gargoyles and an ingenious internal shaft up which the fuel was hoisted. In 1719 the open fire was enclosed in a glazed lantern, but removed in 1730 after complaints from shipping. (5) Additional bibliography - not consulted. (6)

The following text is from the original listed building designation:
BROADSTAIRS AND ST PETERS
TR 36 NE NORTH FORELAND ROAD 874/5/31 BROADSTAIRS 24-JAN-50 (West side) The North Foreland Lighthouse includin g attached lighthouse keepers houses
(Formerly listed as: NORTH FORELAND ROAD BROADSTAIRS The North Foreland Lighthouse)
II
Lighthouse with two attached Lighthouse keepers houses. Lighthouse built in 1691 increased in height in 1793 and again at the end of the C19. Lighthouse keepers houses added c1860. Lighthouse comprises stuccoed octagonal tower of two stages, battered to base with moulded cornice at the top, moulded band half way up and plinth. The height of the tower is 57 metres. Circular lantern house above with platform round it added in 1890. Gabled porch with kneelers, slate roof and crest was probably added in the later C19. The Lighthouse is flanked by the two Lighthouse keeper's houses attached by one storey stuccoed windowless corridors. These are stuccoed with hipped slate roofs with clustered central brick chimneystacks with four flues each. Two storeys; three windows. Wide bracket eaves cornice. Casement windows with hoodmoulding and central gabled porches with kneelers and crest. The windows to the rear elevation are blank. HISTORY: A light was first used at the North Foreland in 1499 but the first real lighthouse was built by Sir John Meldrum in 1636. This comprised a two storey structure of timber lath and plaster with an iron coal burning grate on top and was destroyed by fire in 1683. A twelve metres tall tower was built in 1691 constructed of brick, stone and flint, later rendered over. Originally coal-fired, the fire was enclosed in a glazed lantern in 1719 but this was removed in 1730 after complaints from shipping. In 1793 a further two storeys were added and the coal fire replaced by 18 oil lamps. Trinity House purchased the lighthouse in 1832. The lighthouse keepers cottages were in use from c1860 to 1995.
[Buildings of England. "North East and East Kent" p163.]
Listing NGR: TR3985969619 (7)

<1> OS 1:10000 1979 (OS Card Reference). SKE48165.

<2> DOE(HHR) Dist of Thanet Broadstairs and St Peters 1974 28 (OS Card Reference). SKE41080.

<3> The Bldgs of Eng NE and E Kent 1983 163 (J Newman) (OS Card Reference). SKE50116.

<4> Ind Arch SE Eng 1978 52 (AJ Haselfoot) (OS Card Reference). SKE44266.

<5> Lighthouses 1975 77-78 (DB Heigne and R Christie) (OS Card Reference). SKE46131.

<6> The Antiquary 49 1913 373 ff (OS Card Reference). SKE49948.

<7> English Heritage, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest (Map). SKE16160.

Sources and further reading