They are known worldwide – depicted on stamps, printed on tea towels and pictured on millions of postcards. To many people the Needles, the row of chalk stacks at its western tip, symbolise the Isle of Wight.

More than just a beauty spot, the Needles have played a crucial part in the Island’s history – a strategic military emplacement, a key venue in the history of modern communications and even a place in the space race.

The Needles are a reminder that thousands of years ago the Island and mainland were
connected, with the chalk downs of West Wight continuing into what is now the
county of Dorset. Why the Needles? One theory is they appear like a line of needles sticking up from the sea to sailors heading in from the south west. Another that a previous stack, 120 feet high and known as Lot’s Wife, looked like a needle. It collapsed in 1764 with a crash that is reputed to have been heard as far away as Southampton.

One thing is certain – they spelt danger. A lighthouse was built on the clifftop as early as the 18th century. A fairly major problem for a lighthouse – the fact that it was not
always visible – meant that it was replaced. The present one was completed in 1859. Once manned by three staff who lived there for months at a time, it is now automatic
and maintenance staff reach it by helicopter. Dominating the western approaches to the Solent, the Needles and nearby cliffs were of strategic importance. What is now the
Old Battery dates from 1862 and was built amid fears of a French invasion – part of a chain of coastal land and sea forts constructed on the orders of Prime Minister Lord Palmerston.

Now in the hands of the National Trust, the Old Battery is open to visitors and contains exhibitions on the site’s military history from Victorian times through both World Wars.
Two original gun barrels are on display in the parade ground and a tunnel leads toa searchlight emplacement perched above the Needles Rocks. An excellent tea-room
is situated in the World War II signal station, offering spectacular views of the rocks and out to sea.

A role in more modern history was played by the nearby New Battery. Between 1957 and 1971, this was used as a secret testing site for early space rockets. The site had underground control rooms, while the natural contours of the cliffs were ideal for ground testing rockets, away from inquisitive eyes and with noise and exhaust fumes directed out to sea.

The UK’s Black Knight rocket was tested here before being fired from a range in Australia. Its successor Black Arrow was used to launch a space satellite in 1971. Prospero, the only British satellite to be launched by a British rocket, still orbits the earth and passes overhead twice a day. But success was short-lived and soon afterwards the Government pulled the plug on the programme.

The National Trust is now restoring the underground control rooms with an exhibition explaining the site’s role in early space exploration. It was not the first time the western tip of the Island had featured in ground-breaking technological advances. Radio pioneer, Gugielmo Marconi carried out many of his early experiments from cliffs overlooking Alum Bay. In 1897 he set up his revolutionary equipment at the Royal Needles Hotel and sent some of the first wireless transmissions – to ships, to the Dorset coast and to Queen Victoria’s Osborne House. Though any signs of the radio station or the hotel have vanished, a memorial stone to him stands on the cliff top and the Needles Park, with its chair lift to Alum Bay, also has a display about Marconi.

Queen Victoria heard about the enchanting coloured sands at Alum Bay whilst she was holidaying at Osborne House and was presented with samples in glass containers. This began a very special souvenir tradition that still enthrals visitors today. Many people remember visiting the Isle of Wight as a child and filling their very own sand souvenir.

The sand shop remains a firm favourite and you can choose from a variety of shapes to fill yourself with the 21* shades of Alum Bay Sand or you can buy a ready filled item with fancy patterns create by our very own sand expert.

*please note there may not always be 21 shades available

The Needles Park Chairlift continues to be a firm favourite with visitors and the best way to see the Isle of Wight’s most famous landmark. Ride in one of the 50 chairs from the top of the cliff to Alum Bay Beach and back. The views are truly spectacular from the picturesque Needles Rocks and Lighthouse to the multi-coloured sand cliffs. Also look out for the marvellous turquoise colour of the sea.


Ride Restrictions

Chairlift: Unaccompanied people must be at least 1.4m (55ins) in height in order to travel. People less than 1.4m in height must be accompanied by an adult who meets the height requirements.
Only two people are allowed to travel on one seat regardless of age and size.
Passengers aged 10 or above can travel on their own as long as they meet the height requirement.
BABIES ARE NOT ALLOWED TO RIDE ON THE SEAT. THEY MUST BE STRAPPED TO AN ADULT BY MEANS OF YOUR OWN FORWARD FACING HARNESS. (Baby or toddler in arms counts as one person).