Isle Of Wight Tourist Guide

Description

The Needles Old Battery, built in 1862 following the threat of a French invasion, is a spectacularly sited cliff top fort containing exhibitions about its involvement in both World Wars. Two original gun barrels are displayed in the parade ground and a tunnel accessed by a spiral staircase leads to a searchlight emplacement perched above the Needles rocks.

The New Battery is on a separate site further up the headland and contains an exhibition on Britain´s secret rocket testing programme during the Cold War.

• Spectacular cliff top location with fine views over to Dorset and Hampshire
• Fascinating military history
• Tunnel through the cliffs leads to a unique panorama of The Needles
• Original guns on display
• Family activity packs ´Be a soldier on watch´
• Soldier Trail for young visitors: can you find Major Mindup and his Gunners
• Visit the tea room in the former lookout tower for the Isle of Wight´s most westerly refreshments
• With the help of the West Wight Landscape Partnership a viewing platform has been installed at the far end of the Parade Ground enabling visitors in wheelchairs and others with restricted mobility to have a clear view of the Needles Rocks.

Access Details
There is no vehicular access to either the Needles Old Battery or New Battery (visitors with disabilities are aske to phone 01983 754772 or to email the address above for arrangement). The Needles Old Battery has a number of steep paths and uneven surfaces. Access to the tunnel is via a narrow spiral staircase. WCs are available for visitors to the Old Battery. The New Battery has uneven surfaces and steps down to the exhibition rooms. There is no WC at the New Battery. The route from the Old Battery up to the New Battery is steep.

OPENING TIMES 2010 13th March to 31st October

THE NEEDLES OLD BATTERY: daily, 10.30am - 5pm (last admission 4.30pm or dusk if earlier).

Gift Aid Admission

Adult £4.85
Child £2.45
Family £12.10
National Trust members free

Including a voluntary 10% donation; visitors can, however, choose to pay the standard admission process which are displayed at the property and at www.nationaltrust.org.uk

THE NEEDLES NEW BATTERY: Saturdays and Sundays 11am - 4pm. Also school holidays and other days where possible. There is no admission charge to the New Battery.

HALF PRICE FARE FOR NATIONAL TRUST MEMBERS ON NEEDLES TOUR BUS
Please ask the driver for details.

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