Discover the Secrets of The Needles: Guided Walks at the New Battery
Uncover the rich history and hidden secrets of The Needles New Battery with educational and fascinating guided walks led by our knowledgeable walking team.
- Booking essential
Join our guides on a journey through time and uncover the fascinating history of the New Battery, originally built to accommodate the larger 9.2-inch guns as part of upgrades to coastal defences during the Second World War.
Hear captivating stories of shipwrecks in the bay and the lighthouse that once stood on the cliffs. Explore the nearby High Down site, where pioneering aviation and engineering company Saunders-Roe developed and tested rockets for Britain’s space programme, leading to the historic launch of Prospero, the UK’s first satellite.
You’ll also enjoy exclusive access to the New Battery’s underground ammunition rooms – open only during these tours and occasional events. Step inside these atmospheric spaces to see scale models of the Black Knight and Black Arrow rockets, along with recreated scenes from the top-secret tests carried out here between the 1950s and 70s.
Times
Prices
| Ticket type | Ticket category |
|---|---|
| Adult | £4.00 |
| Child | £4.00 |
The basics
- Booking details
Call 0344 249 1895
- Suitability
The walks would best suit adults and families with older children.
- Meeting point
Head to the Gun Position at the New Battery
- What to bring and wear
Practical clothes for the weather are recommended. Bearing in mind the battery can get cold and windy at times, even in the summer
- Accessibility
Adapted toilet and toilets available at Needles Old Battery. There are some steep slopes and uneven surfaces inside the Battery but they can be avoided. Onsite parking is not available – nearest car parks are at Alum Bay or Freshwater Bay (not NT).
- Other
Please arrive 15 mins before the start of the event
Contact info
The Needles Old Battery and New Battery
Upcoming events
Discover the Secrets of The Needles: Guided Walks at the Old Battery
Uncover the rich history and hidden secrets of The Needles Old Battery with educational and fascinating guided walks led by our knowledgeable walking team.