The oldest cast-iron lighthouse in the world still in operation, standing 36 metres tall on the highest point in Southampton. The 185 steps to the top reward the climb with a 360-degree panorama across the parish rooftops, the Great Sound, and the open Atlantic — on a clear day you can see the entire length of the island. The lighthouse has been in continuous operation since 1846. A small tea room at the base serves breakfast and lunch.
Gibbs Hill Lighthouse
A story
When it was built in 1846, Gibbs Hill was one of the world's first cast-iron lighthouses. The technology had only just become viable, and the prefabricated sections were shipped from England and assembled on the hilltop. The light still operates today, guiding ships through the same reefs it was built to warn against 180 years ago.