The Needles Old Battery & New Battery

Type: Historic Site

The Needles Old Battery tea room is now open on Saturdays and Sundays from 11am - 3pm until 11th December 2011 and then from 7th January to 4 March 2012. There is no admission charge as the rest of the site is closed.

Needles Old Battery:
* Spectacularly sited cliff top fort with the best views of The Needles Rocks.
* Regularly updated exhibitions and displays.
* Intriguing history brought to life comic-book style.
* Memorabilia from World War II.
* Underground tunnel with a unique bird's eye view of The Needles.
* Tearoom in old look-out tower with dramatic views.
* Children's activity pack free to borrow: find out what it was like to be a soldier on watch.
* Children’s soldier trail: free trail sheets – can you find Major Mindup and his Gunners?
* Miles of wonderful cliff top walks stretching from the Needles Headland to Freshwater Bay.
* National Trust Members - FREE
*In the words of one visitor: 'we came for the views, but found so much more.'

Open: Needles Old Battery:
Open daily 17th March 2012 to 4 November 2012 10.30am - 5pm (last admission 4.30pm)
Closes dusk if earlier

Property closes in high winds; please phone on day of visit to check.

PRICES 2012:
Gift Aid Admission*:
Adult £5.10, Child £2.55, Family £12.75
*Including a voluntary 10% donation; visitors can however choose to pay the standard admission prices which are displayed at the property and at www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Needles New Battery:
*The underground rooms of the New Battery situated next to the bus turning point contain an exhibition about the secret rocket testing carried out on the site in the 1950s and 60s.
* Refreshment kiosk serving drinks, ice cream and snacks.
Open: Tuesdays, Saturdays & Sundays, plus school holidays and other days where possible (please phone to check) 17th March 2012 to 4th November 2012. 11am - 4pm.
Property closes in high winds.

PRICES: Admission to the Needles New Battery is free.

Group visits and school visits available – please contact property for details.

Please note there is no vehicular access to the Needles headland or Batteries. For disabled access please phone 01983 754772 or email isleofwight@nationaltrust.org.uk.

Half price fare available to National Trust members on Needles Tour Bus (run by Southern Vectis). Please ask driver for details.

Opening Times

Opening - Needles Old Battery 17/03/2012 - 04/11/2012

Opening - Needles New Battery 17/03/2012 - 04/11/2012

* Last entry 4.30pm. New Battery may open school holidays and other days when possible. Please note the property may have to close in high winds. Please phone to check (01983) 754772.

Tickets Information

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

Road Directions

From East Cowes ferry, second exit at roundabout onto Well Road, A3021, A3054 to Newport, town centre, Pyle Street, B3323 to Carisbrooke, B3401, B3399 to Freshwater, A3055 to Alum Bay.
From Fishbourne ferry, B3339 (Fishbourne lane), A3054 to Newport, town centre, Pyle Street, B3323 to Carisbrooke, B3401, B3399 to Freshwater, A3055 to Alum Bay.
From Yarmouth ferry, A3054 to Alum Bay.

Please note: access from Alum Bay is on foot only only approx ¾ mile along a well surfaced path or by Needles Tour bus. No vehicle access to site - for disabled access arrangements please phone 01983 754772 or email isleofwight@nationaltrust.org.uk
Parking at Alum Bay is not National Trust.
Minimum charge £4

Public Transport Directions

From West Cowes Red Jet Hi-speed ferry: No 1 bus route to Newport and change to No 7 to Alum Bay.
From Ryde Catamaran/Hovertravel: No. 9 bus route to Newport and change to No 7 to Alum Bay.
From Yarmouth ferry: No. 7 bus route to Alum Bay.
For further bus information please contact Southern Vectis at www.islandbuses.info/ or +44 0871 200 2233 (bus times) / +44 01983 827000 (head office). Also Needles Tour Bus from Yarmouth or Alum Bay.