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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
  • 19th-century cliff-top fort built to guard against the threat of French invasion
  • Spectacular location with unrivalled views over the Needles
  • Fascinating military history from Victorian times to the space age
  • 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
Updated family activity packs. Southern Vectis are now offering National Trust members half price travel on the Needles Tour Bus. Ask driver for details

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–8 Mar 09  11–3 Closed Mondays Closed Tuesdays Closed Wednesdays Closed Thursdays Closed Fridays Sa Su
Battery/tea-room
 14 Mar–1 Nov 09  10:30–5 Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa Su
Tea-room
 7 Nov–13 Dec 09  11–3 Closed Mondays Closed Tuesdays Closed Wednesdays Closed Thursdays Closed Fridays Sa Su
 9 Jan–31 Jan 10  11–3 Closed Mondays Closed Tuesdays Closed Wednesdays Closed Thursdays Closed Fridays Sa Su
The Needles New Battery
 14 Mar–1 Nov 09  11–4 Closed Mondays Closed Tuesdays Closed Wednesdays Closed Thursdays Closed Fridays Sa Su
KEY: Dark blue=open
Property closes in high winds: telephone on day of visit to check. New Battery also open school holidays and other days where possible. Last admission 30 minutes before closing

Contact details

01983 754772
Email: needlesoldbattery@nationaltrust.org.uk


Admission prices

Gift Aid Admission (Standard Admission prices in brackets): £4.85 (£4.40), child £2.45 (£2.20), family (2 adults and children 5--17) £12.10 (£11). Groups (£4.10). 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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