| |
Welcome
Accommodation
Room Rates
Calendar
History
Contact
|
The History of Belle Tout Lighthouse
- Circa 1691, petitions for a lighthouse were
made due to the number of shipwrecks and sailors
losing their lives at the hands of this
dangerous stretch of coastline.
- In 1828 as a continuing result of many
shipwrecks, a wooden lighthouse was built on the
top of the cliffs at Beachy Head. So successful
was this that the decision was made to build a
permanent lighthouse.
- Belle Tout was built in 1832 and the
location of the lighthouse was carefully planned
so that the light was visible for 20 miles out
to sea and that the light would be obscured by
the edge of the cliff if sailors were too close
to the shore.
- Over the years erosion of the cliff reduced
the effectiveness of the lighthouse and in 1902
Belle Tout was decommissioned when the new
lighthouse built at the base of the cliffs came
into service.
- In 1903 it was sold by Trinity House and
changed hands a number of times.
- In 1923 it was bought by a surgeon, Sir
James Purves-Stewart.
- During the second world war with its owners
being evacuated, Belle Tout was damaged due to
shelling by Canadian Troops using it as target
practice.
- In 1948 Sir James offered the building to
the council and eventually they took it over due
to its historical significance.
- In 1956 Belle Tout was leased out to Dr
Edward Revill Cullinan who carried out works on
the building and installed modern features such
as septic tank, mains electricity and water.
- In 1962 the lease was sold and changed hands
a number of times.
- In 1986 it was bought by the BBC who used it
in the making of Fay Weldon’s “Life and Loves of
a She-Devil”.
- In 1996 it was bought by Mark and Louise
Roberts to use as a family home.
- In 1999, due to continuing erosion
threatening the future of the building the
lighthouse was moved 17 metres (56 feet) back
from the edge of the cliff by the impressive
engineering work of Abbey Pynford.
- In 2007 the Roberts' put Belle Tout up for
sale with the guide price of £850,000.
- In 2007 the
Belle Toute Lighthouse
Preservation Trust campaigned for Belle Tout to
be made available to the public so that anyone
could visit and stay at the lighthouse.
- In April 2008 Belle Tout was purchased by
the Belle Tout Lighthouse Company Limited with
the intention of opening it to the public as a
bed & breakfast and tourist centre.
- In 2009 Belle Tout was lovingly restored to
its former glory.
- In March 2010, The Belle Tout Lighthouse
opens its doors to guests.
I |
|
 |
