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The Needles and Alum Bay - 11 Essential Tips For Visitors (2024)
The Needles - as featured on 97% of TV programmes about the Isle of Wight
The Needles and Alum Bay are perhaps the Isle of Wight's most famous landmarks.
The graffiti at Newport bus station which said "beans blow your mind" offered some competition in the 1990s but that has now gone (RIP).
The key to a successful trip to the Needles is a bit of research. Where's the best view? Is the boat trip worth it? Is there free parking anywhere? All these questions and more are answered in this utterly enthralling guide to 11 tips and things you need to know before arriving. It was meant to be a top 10 but I got carried away.
The graffiti at Newport bus station which said "beans blow your mind" offered some competition in the 1990s but that has now gone (RIP).
The key to a successful trip to the Needles is a bit of research. Where's the best view? Is the boat trip worth it? Is there free parking anywhere? All these questions and more are answered in this utterly enthralling guide to 11 tips and things you need to know before arriving. It was meant to be a top 10 but I got carried away.
1. Turn up at the right attraction
There are two main attractions at The Needles, so make sure you visit the right one.
Most families go for the busy 'Needles Landmark Attraction' with its chairlift, boat ride, sand filling, carousel, minigolf, glass blowing, summer fireworks and arcade. It is free to get in, you just pay to park and then pay as you go. This is probably the attraction that you visited on a school trip in year seven.
The second attraction is run by the National Trust and is called the Old Battery and the New Battery. The New Battery is free and is a small exhibition about rocket testing at The Needles. The Old Battery is free for National Trust members or about £8 for everyone else. I am still working on a clever pun about there being a charge for an old battery but haven't quite perfected it yet.
If you don't like crowds or enjoy history go for the Old Battery. If you're looking to occupy the children or relive your youth, go for the Landmark Attraction. If you just want a nice view without spending any money, go for the New Battery.
Most families go for the busy 'Needles Landmark Attraction' with its chairlift, boat ride, sand filling, carousel, minigolf, glass blowing, summer fireworks and arcade. It is free to get in, you just pay to park and then pay as you go. This is probably the attraction that you visited on a school trip in year seven.
The second attraction is run by the National Trust and is called the Old Battery and the New Battery. The New Battery is free and is a small exhibition about rocket testing at The Needles. The Old Battery is free for National Trust members or about £8 for everyone else. I am still working on a clever pun about there being a charge for an old battery but haven't quite perfected it yet.
If you don't like crowds or enjoy history go for the Old Battery. If you're looking to occupy the children or relive your youth, go for the Landmark Attraction. If you just want a nice view without spending any money, go for the New Battery.
The Needles Landmark Attraction is a busy attraction with lots of things to do
The Old Battery is a former military base which is much quieter than the Landmark Attraction
2. Save money on parking if you can
There is only one car park for both attractions and it has a fixed price of £6 per day (2023 prices). It costs the same whether you stay for eight hours or leave after 20 minutes because a child is having a tantrum about the hook-a-duck.
You can get the parking for £4 by showing a National Trust membership card or Islanders can get free return parking for the rest of the year by showing ID. Free parking nearby is limited, but have a look at our cheap and free parking guide if you're the determined sort. Parking is free at The Needles in winter.
You can get the parking for £4 by showing a National Trust membership card or Islanders can get free return parking for the rest of the year by showing ID. Free parking nearby is limited, but have a look at our cheap and free parking guide if you're the determined sort. Parking is free at The Needles in winter.
3. Some of The best views are on the bus
A popular way to visit The Needles and Alum Bay is to get the open top bus, which is called the Needles Breezer. It is great fun and has a rather fresh breeze, so we call it the Needles Freezer. It is best value if you get a group ticket for five people that gives access to all the Isle of Wight buses for 24 hours or 48 hours. The group ticket costs £35/£42 (2023). Gentlemen with wigs will need to keep a firm grip on them as you approach the Old Battery as it is notoriously windy.
Your 24 hours starts when you buy the ticket, so sneaky visitors do the Needles Breezer open top bus on the first afternoon and then do the Downs Breezer in the East Wight on the next morning
Your 24 hours starts when you buy the ticket, so sneaky visitors do the Needles Breezer open top bus on the first afternoon and then do the Downs Breezer in the East Wight on the next morning
The Needles Breezer passes through Freshwater Bay and carries on to The Needles
4. Buy a bundle of tickets
The best way to save money at The Needles Landmark Attraction is to buy a book of Supersaver Tickets, which is £9 for 12 tickets. However, they are non refundable so you'll probably end up keeping a few in your wallet for the next three years.
You need four tickets for a single ride on the chairlift for an adult or three for a child (2023). Return journeys cost double. So, a child and adult single costs you £5.25 with the tokens. If you just want to pay for a single journey, I would use it on the way down if you want the best views or use it on the way up if you can't cope with your children complaining about climbing lots of steps. A photo of you sitting on the chairlift is taken on the way up. Last time I visited, a keyring photo was about £4.
It's not really practical to take a pushchair or wheelchair onto the beach.
The chairlift is a little bit scarier than you might imagine. There's quite a big drop and you are only held in by a bar. There aren't any seatbelts so I would only take on a child if they are sensible enough to keep still. I made this mistake the first time I went with child one and it was a bit tense. She refused to let me put her arm round her, so I waited six years before I took her back.
You need four tickets for a single ride on the chairlift for an adult or three for a child (2023). Return journeys cost double. So, a child and adult single costs you £5.25 with the tokens. If you just want to pay for a single journey, I would use it on the way down if you want the best views or use it on the way up if you can't cope with your children complaining about climbing lots of steps. A photo of you sitting on the chairlift is taken on the way up. Last time I visited, a keyring photo was about £4.
It's not really practical to take a pushchair or wheelchair onto the beach.
The chairlift is a little bit scarier than you might imagine. There's quite a big drop and you are only held in by a bar. There aren't any seatbelts so I would only take on a child if they are sensible enough to keep still. I made this mistake the first time I went with child one and it was a bit tense. She refused to let me put her arm round her, so I waited six years before I took her back.
The chairlift is great fun. We paid about £5 for an adult and child single ticket in 2023
5. Stay late for free fireworks
During the summer, the park stays open late on one evening a week for a free fireworks display and live music. It's a really good event, considering it is free. Most of the attractions close about half an hour before the fireworks, which took place at 9.30pm last time we visited. It took us 20 minutes to get out of the car park, so I would park near the exit to avoid the queues.
There is a weekly fireworks display in the summer holidays
6. Prepare to walk to the Old Battery
If you visit the Old Battery or New Battery and bring a car, you will need to walk 0.8 miles/1.3km to get to the entrance. It's an enjoyable walk with lovely views but it does have a steep climb at the start, which will give you a sore bottom. We have done it with a pushchair a few times. The alternative is to hop on the Southern Vectis bus for one stop. There's a big drop off a cliff on this walk so keep feral children and dogs on leads.
You need to walk or get a bus along the road in the centre of this photo to get to the Old Battery and New Battery
7. Make time for the boat
The boat rides at Alum Bay are good fun, decent value and offer the closest view of The Needles without getting wet feet. It was £8 for adults or £5 for children in 2023. Most people go for the cheaper ride which does a little trip into the Bay and is usually not too wobbly. The fast boat goes further but you need a stronger stomach. You can't go into the lighthouse on either journey.
The Needles boat trip is good fun (photo taken in 2023)
8. Arrive early
The Needles Landmark Attraction gets very busy, so arrive at 10am if you want to avoid people. We also found the chairlift was quiet at 8pm during the summer evening opening.
Arriving early is less essential for the Old Battery as it is somewhere you potter about rather than a series of rides which you queue for.
Arriving early is less essential for the Old Battery as it is somewhere you potter about rather than a series of rides which you queue for.
9. Choose the right rides and attractions
There are several things to see and do at the Landmark Attraction. The rides are small and tame, so they are more suited for primary school aged children and pre-schoolers. Don't turn up expecting Alton Towers.
Secondary school aged children are more likely to enjoy the chairlift, the 4D Cinema and the small amusement arcade. Grandma will enjoy the glass blowing, the sweet factory and the café. Most people enjoy the bit where you stuff sand into a bottle to make a souvenir.
No, you aren't allowed to help yourself to the sand from the cliffs. You'll be shouted at if you do by a member of staff with a loudhailer. Yes, it's a bit crazy to be buying sand at a beach. You'll just have to get over that.
Secondary school aged children are more likely to enjoy the chairlift, the 4D Cinema and the small amusement arcade. Grandma will enjoy the glass blowing, the sweet factory and the café. Most people enjoy the bit where you stuff sand into a bottle to make a souvenir.
No, you aren't allowed to help yourself to the sand from the cliffs. You'll be shouted at if you do by a member of staff with a loudhailer. Yes, it's a bit crazy to be buying sand at a beach. You'll just have to get over that.
No, you can't help yourself to the multicoloured sand at Alum Bay
10. The best free view is at the New Battery
There's an excellent viewpoint at the New Battery, which is signposted as you walk around. You can find it here. This is my favourite free view of the Needles. You can get pretty fantastic views from the chairlift or boat but those will cost you money.
Nearby, my two highlights at the National Trust Old Battery are the tunnel which leads to a lookout in the rocks and the views from the tearooms. It isn't a huge attraction, but I prefer the view from here than from the Landmark Attraction.
Nearby, my two highlights at the National Trust Old Battery are the tunnel which leads to a lookout in the rocks and the views from the tearooms. It isn't a huge attraction, but I prefer the view from here than from the Landmark Attraction.
This view can be found at the New Battery
11. Incorporate a walk for great views and free parking
If you are a keen walker, I would incorporate the Needles into a route from Freshwater Bay via the Tennyson Monument and Headon Warren. You can park for free in Freshwater Bay (here) or near to the Tennyson Monument (here).
See our guide to circular walks for an exact route. It's about eight miles but you can shorten it to six miles by cutting out Headon Warren (my mother wouldn't approve as Headon Warren is her favourite bit).
Don't attempt this walk with children. They will complain and ruin your day.
See our guide to circular walks for an exact route. It's about eight miles but you can shorten it to six miles by cutting out Headon Warren (my mother wouldn't approve as Headon Warren is her favourite bit).
Don't attempt this walk with children. They will complain and ruin your day.
Follow the coastal path from Freshwater Bay to the Needles if you enjoy a walk
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