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The Needles Old Battery
©National Trust
The Needles Old Battery and New Battery
West High Down, Alum Bay, Isle of Wight PO39 0JH
Telephone: 01983 754772
Other building  Countryside  Coast  Shop  Refreshments  Tours  1975 
Victorian coastal defence and secret rocket testing site perched high above the Needles Rocks
  • Built against the threat of French invasion
  • 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
  • Old Look-out Tower tea-room, for the Isle of Wight's most westerly refreshments

What's new this year
Exhibition at the New Battery about the part the site played in the race for space

Points to noteNo vehicular access to either Battery (visitors with disabilities by arrangement). The 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 arrangements
Tea-room
 1 Feb–9 Mar 08  11–3 Closed Mondays Closed Tuesdays Closed Wednesdays Closed Thursdays Closed Fridays Sa Su
Battery/tea-room
 15 Mar–29 Jun 08  10:30–5 Closed Mondays Tu We Th Fr Sa Su
 1 Jul–31 Aug 08  10:30–5 Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa Su
 1 Sep–2 Nov 08  10:30–5 Closed Mondays Tu We Th Fr Sa Su
Tea-room
 8 Nov–14 Dec 08  11–3 Closed Mondays Closed Tuesdays Closed Wednesdays Closed Thursdays Closed Fridays Sa Su
 10 Jan–31 Jan 09  11–3 Closed Mondays Closed Tuesdays Closed Wednesdays Closed Thursdays Closed Fridays Sa Su
The Needles New Battery
 15 Mar–2 Nov 08  11–4 Closed Mondays Tu Closed Wednesdays Closed Thursdays Closed Fridays Sa Closed Sundays
KEY: Dark blue=open
Also open Easter Mon and May BHols. Property closes in high winds: tel. on day of visit to check. Last admission 30mins before closing

Contact details

01983 754772
Email: needlesoldbattery@nationaltrust.org.uk


Admission prices

Gift Aid Admission (Standard Admission prices in brackets): £4.65 (£4.20), child £2.35 (£2.10), family (2 adults and children 5--17) £11.55 (£10.50). Groups (£3.95). The Needles New Battery (Standard Admission): free


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Trust properties nearby
  • Bembridge Windmill
  • Brighstone Shop and Museum
  • Mottistone Manor Garden
  • Newtown Old Town Hall
  • Tennyson Down
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