A pavement light (also known as a vault light or floor light) is a glazed panel set into sidewalks or pavements to allow natural daylight into subterranean spaces such as basements or vaults beneath street level.
Common in 19th-century urban architecture-especially in London and other historic UK cities-these were typically made with cast-iron frames and thick, patterned glass (often prismatic) to diffuse and redirect light downward.
Today, restored pavement lights are valued for their heritage significance and sustainable use of daylight, with modern versions using laminated or toughened glass for safety while retaining original ironwork.