The Needles Isle of Wight

Alum Bay | Old Battery | Rocket Testing Site | Access | Isle of Wight Guide

The Needles are a row of tall, pointy chalk cliffs that are located off the coast of the Isle of Wight. They are the Isle of Wight’s most iconic and popular tourist attraction.

The cliff which gave the Needles their name, being the only needle-shaped rock in the row, collapsed in a storm in 1764, but the name has stuck ever since.

A view of The Needles Isle of Wight

Alum Bay

Due to the popularity of the Needles as a tourist attraction, a small amusement park was opened at Alum Bay, where the Needles are located, as well as a chairlift that allows a better view of the Needles than you can get from the headland.

The Needles chairlift – www.theneedles.co.uk

Old Battery

Also located on the headland are the Needles Old Battery, the Needles New Battery, and the High Down Rocket Testing Site. The Old Battery was built between 1861-63, designed to defend against enemy ships.

The New Battery was then built after there were concerns that the firing of the guns from the Old Battery was causing the cliffs below to crumble. The New Battery was built further up the cliffs and was completed in 1985. Both of the buildings are Grade II listed buildings.

The remains of the Old Battery – www.geograph.org.uk

High Down Rocket Testing Site

The High Down Rocket Testing Site was built in the 1950s and was operated in secret. The Black Knight rocket was tested at this site in the 1950s, prior to its launch in Australia, as well as the Black Arrow rocket in the 1960s.

The High Down Rocket Testing Site played a very important part in Britain’s Space Programme, but was neglected after the 1970s and the majority of the buildings were demolished. There is a small museum dedicated to it at the Needles New Battery.

The High Down Rocket Testing Site www.derelictplaces.co.uk

Access – Getting There

Alum Bay New Road
Alum Bay
PO39 0JD

The Luccombe Hall Hotel is a recommended place to stay on the Isle of Wight. You may also like to try the Shoreside Inn.