Dunston Pillar is a stone tower that stands beside the A15 (the ancient route of Ermine Street, one of the most important Roman roads in Britain) approximately 10 km south of Lincoln near the junction of the B1178 (also known as Tower Lane).

History

The tower was built by Sir Francis Dashwood (better known as the founder of the Hellfire Club) in 1751 as a 'land lighthouse'—a navigational aid to assist travellers crossing the heathland around Dunston and Nocton. The land lighthouse also aimed to improve the safety of one of the most treacherous areas of the county for 18th century travellers (who were being waylaid by highwaymen such as the notorious Dick Turpin).

The structure originally stood 30 metres high (90 feet) with a large octagonal lantern on top of the tower. The lantern was regularly lit until 1788 and was used for the last time in 1808 by which time improvements in the local road network had effectively made it obsolete.

In 1808, the lantern was destroyed in a storm and was replaced with a bust of King George III by the Earl of Buckinghamshire to celebrate fifty years of the king's reign.

At the height of the Battle of Britain in 1940, the pillar was considered to be a hazard to low-flying aircraft approaching nearby RAF Waddington, and was thus lowered by 10 metres to reduce the risk of accident. At this time the bust of King George III was removed and can now be seen in the grounds of Lincoln Castle.

The tower remains a well-known landmark and to this day is clearly visible beside the busy road.