Shipwrecks were not an uncommon event in the 17^th and early 18^th centuries on England’s  East Sussex coast, resulting in the Belle Tout lighthouse, a temporary wooden structure, beginning service in 1828. A permanent lighthouse replaced it in 1834 using 30 oil lamps consuming two gallons of oil every hour!

The Belle Tout lighthouse was not as successful as had been hoped, with two significant flaws leading to an alternative being sought. The cliff-top location caused problems when sea mists obscured the light, significantly reducing the distance that it would reach. Vessels that sailed too closely to the rocks would not be able to see the light because it was blocked by the edge of the cliff. And, the cliffs of Beachy Head suffered intense coastal erosion over the years and the rocky area below started to be covered by the light.

Sited over 500 feet seawards from the base of the cliffs, the Beachy Head lighthouse, with its distinctive red and white stripes, became operational in 1902. For the next 80 years, three lighthouse keepers maintained the rotating light which makes two white flashes every 20 seconds and is visible 26 nautical miles out to sea.

In 1983 the lighthouse was fully automated and the keepers were withdrawn. Due to advances in high tech navigational systems, a new LED light system was installed in 2011 and the visibility reduced to 8 miles.

The Belle Tout lighthouse was decommissioned in 1902.

The Beachy Head lighthouse was repainted in 2011 by two teams of abseilers!