The Needles Headland and Tennyson Down
Beautiful open downland,sheer chalk cliffs and dramatic sea views
The Needles Headland and Tennyson Down
Overview
Beautiful open downland,sheer chalk cliffs and dramatic sea views
Be inspired as Tennyson was
Tennyson Down is probably one of the most popular places to walk on the Island. You can enjoy it just for the great leg-stretch from Freshwater Bay to the Needles Headland, and drink in the salt laden air that so inspired Tennyson. However every time you visit, the light and weather conditions are different so it is well worth returning.
A great place to be
You are perched above high chalk cliffs and transluscent seas that reflect the light in so many different ways. Amongst the gorse bushes are small birds and thousands of minute downland flowers and cliff nesting birds soar effortlessly along the cliff tops using the updrafts.
Downland management today
We are restoring more of Tennyson Down back to open chalk grassland. Since the 1920s the Downs had fewer grazing animals, which allowed the whole of the sheltered north side of the Down to grow up with young ash woodland and many of the chalk grassland flowers and butterfies have disappeared. Cattle have been reintroduced to the Down and areas of young ash trees are being removed where the soil is suitably thin to allow the chalk grassland to gradually return and provide more wonderful open downland to wander across.
- Telephone
- 01983741020
- isleofwight@nationaltrust.org.uk
The Needles Headland and Tennyson Down
How to get here
- Address
- Tennyson Down, Totland Bay, Isle of Wight, PO39 0HY
- By road
- The Needles and downs are at the west-most tip of the Isle of Wight, reached by the B3322 from Yarmouth/Totland or the Alum Bay road from Freshwater Bay. For access to Tennyson Down only, from Freshwater Bay, just off the A3055 and also from a small car park in an old chalk pit off the Alum Bay road by turning off at the High Down Inn and driving to the end of High Down Lane. Grid reference SZ325856.
- On foot
- Access on foot from Alum Bay to the Needles Old Battery is approximately ¾ of a mile along a well-surfaced private road. From there it is approximately a 40 minute walk to the Tennyson Monument.
- By cycle
- The 'Round the Island' cycle path reaches Freshwater Bay, close to the eastern edge of Tennyson Down.
- By ferry
- The nearest ferry port is at Yarmouth (5 miles). Wightlink operates services from Portsmouth and Lymington, tel - 0870 582 7744 or go to www.wightlink.com East Cowes (16 miles), Red Funnel operates services from Southampton, tel - 0844 844 9988 or go to www.redfunnel.co.uk
- By bus
- Southern Vectis buses from Newport run to Alum Bay, via Yarmouth and Totland. Open-top buses do run to the Needles Old Battery from Alum Bay, less than a mile up the road. There is a 2-3 hourly service between Totland and Newport which follows the inland edge of Tennyson Down. For details of bus timetables see www.islandbuses.info.
The Needles Headland and Tennyson Down
Prices
Admission free
What is Gift Aid?
Most of our places run the Gift Aid on Entry scheme at their admission points.
Under this scheme, if you're not a member you have the choice of two entry tickets:
- Gift Aid Admission
- Standard Admission
If the place runs Gift Aid on Entry, we'll offer you a clear choice between the Gift Aid Admission prices and the Standard Admission prices at the admission point. It's entirely up to you which ticket you choose.
Gift Aid Admission includes a 10 per cent or more voluntary donation. Gift Aid Admissions let us reclaim tax on the whole amount paid - an extra 25 per cent - potentially a very significant boost to our places' funds.
An extra £1 paid under the scheme can be worth over £3 to the National Trust as shown below:
| Gift Aid | Standard | |
|---|---|---|
| Amount paid by visitor | £11.00 | £10.00 |
| Tax refund from Government* | £2.75 | £0.00 |
| Total received by the National Trust | £13.75 | £10.00 |
*Gift Aid Admissions let us reclaim tax on the whole amount paid - an extra 25 per cent - potentially a very significant boost to our places' funds.
The Needles Headland and Tennyson Down
Opening times
Monday 9 December
- Countryside Dawn to dusk
Tuesday 10 December
- Countryside Dawn to dusk
Wednesday 11 December
- Countryside Dawn to dusk
Thursday 12 December
- Countryside Dawn to dusk
Friday 13 December
- Countryside Dawn to dusk
Saturday 14 December
- Countryside Dawn to dusk
Sunday 15 December
- Countryside Dawn to dusk
The Needles Headland and Tennyson Down
Contact us
- Telephone
- 01983741020
- isleofwight@nationaltrust.org.uk
- Address
- Tennyson Down, Totland Bay, Isle of Wight, PO39 0HY