The Needles Battery
The Needles Battery
4.5
10:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Full view
The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
24 within 5 kms
Attractions
40 within 10 kms
See what travellers are saying
- HampshireUKPeterOverton, United Kingdom44 contributionsSurprisingly interesting historical siteWhether you walk, drive or bus to view the needles it’s well worth also visiting the Old Battery. An amazing amount of work has gone into restoring this historical defensive gun battery by the NT and with the many artefacts and information you can visualise how it operated in the 19th century thru WW1 to WW2. Great views across the Solent to the mainland.Visited March 2023Travelled soloWritten 23 March 2023
- Carol HBrighton, United Kingdom7 contributionsBreath-taking views!Run by the National Trust. The Battery was fantastic to see. Fantastic views from it too. Great little cafe with outside seating if you have pets with you. If you want to see the Needles, this is the place to view them from.Visited April 2023Written 21 April 2023
- LazyRizzo168 contributionsLovely views, interesting historic placeThis was easily accessible on my mobility scooter, lovely views across to Alum Bay and lots of birds singing. As NT Members we got in free, and had free parking (blue badge). Plenty of signage to explain what you were seeing, and helpful guides there if needed. I guess seeing the chalk stacks of the Needles itself is a thing ticked off a list, who knows how long they will remain with climate change and sea & wind erosion.Visited May 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 22 May 2023
- DillonM1905Laramie, Wyoming443 contributionsExcellent Old FortificaitonThis is a well preserved old fortification which served through several conflicts on the very edge of the island. I was very surprised this was also a rocket test location - very James Bond. A lot of old buildings and rooms preserved in the rock, including a tunnel out to the farthest lookout on the Needles. Excellent stop if you are in the area.Visited May 2023Written 23 May 2023
- JohnCasey29Filey, United Kingdom634 contributionsThe Old BatteryFrom the main road take a long and slightly sloping climb adjacent to the cliff edge and come upon the Old Battery high above the Needles. An old gun emplacement used to protect the solent from marauders and invaders Admission a bit steep at £7.50 each but hey ho, it is what it is Well worth the climb to visit. It is usually quite windy dy up there so wrap up warm and don't wear a hat.Visited July 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 4 July 2023
- baileygeeeRomsey, United Kingdom556 contributionsLovely NeedlesExcellent visit, a tad windy, hold onto your hats! Nice exhibitions and view of the Needles from the underground passage. The cafe is lovely, excellent coffee and scrummy homemade cakes with fantastic views over the Solent. If you are a NT member and park at Alum Chine, show your membership card to get £2.00 off the parking charge.Visited July 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 4 July 2023
- Charles_and_SusanNottingham, United Kingdom5,871 contributionsInteresting place with views over the Needles.We walked up from the Needles car park - phew! The Old Battery itself is well presented and you can visit the rooms used to store gunpowder and munitions. Going down a small spiral staircase takes you through a tunnel to the outer rim and, as well as the sighting equipment, you get a good view of the Needles. The New Battery was closed when we were there.Visited June 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 6 July 2023
- tracey b21 contributionsFull of historyAmazing views. Full of history. Coffee shop. Bus up to it from Needles carpark If you are a NATIONAL TRUST member show your card at the carpark and you get £2 knocked off. Show your card on the bus going up to the Battery and you get up there for £3return à nd Old Battery free for members...well worth a visitVisited July 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 1 August 2023
- LindaandIanNewark-on-Trent, United Kingdom9 contributionsAn interesting afternoonThis was quite an interesting site, with great views of the needles. The tunnel was particularly interesting. The cafe sells nice cakes. We hadn't realised that the only bus to go here was the open topped tour bus. It was far too hot to walk there on the day we visited.Visited September 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 12 September 2023
- Lucy TIsle of Wight, United Kingdom295 contributionsAlways a joy to get as close as possible to the NeedlesWe had lunch at the tea room. Only sandwiches available unfortunately. It’s a bit of a tight squeeze to order at the counter and then you have to walk downstairs to the tables. Lovely view from upstairs though. It’s always nice to walk down the tunnel and come out at the closest spot you can get to the Needles. I could stay there all day!Visited September 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 13 September 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1Â 310 reviews
Excellent
754
Very good
420
Average
101
Poor
14
Terrible
21
simongK7499QX
Rayleigh, UK276 contributions
Jul 2023 • Friends
A remarkable piece of British history. The battery dates from the 1890s and was used extensively in WW1 and WW2.
Expensive to get in but good value when you consider the views and history.
Expensive to get in but good value when you consider the views and history.
Written 29 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Charles_and_Susan
Nottingham, UK5Â 871 contributions
Jun 2023 • Couples
We walked up from the Needles car park - phew! The Old Battery itself is well presented and you can visit the rooms used to store gunpowder and munitions. Going down a small spiral staircase takes you through a tunnel to the outer rim and, as well as the sighting equipment, you get a good view of the Needles.
The New Battery was closed when we were there.
The New Battery was closed when we were there.
Written 6 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
baileygeee
Romsey, UK556 contributions
Jul 2023 • Couples
Excellent visit, a tad windy, hold onto your hats! Nice exhibitions and view of the Needles from the underground passage. The cafe is lovely, excellent coffee and scrummy homemade cakes with fantastic views over the Solent. If you are a NT member and park at Alum Chine, show your membership card to get £2.00 off the parking charge.
Written 4 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JohnCasey29
Filey, UK634 contributions
Jul 2023 • Couples
From the main road take a long and slightly sloping climb adjacent to the cliff edge and come upon the Old Battery high above the Needles.
An old gun emplacement used to protect the solent from marauders and invaders
Admission a bit steep at £7.50 each but hey ho, it is what it is
Well worth the climb to visit. It is usually quite windy dy up there so wrap up warm and don't wear a hat.
An old gun emplacement used to protect the solent from marauders and invaders
Admission a bit steep at £7.50 each but hey ho, it is what it is
Well worth the climb to visit. It is usually quite windy dy up there so wrap up warm and don't wear a hat.
Written 4 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
iamface
Cardiff, UK1Â 552 contributions
Mar 2023
cycle trekking from freshwater to Needles of Battery. Landscape was impressive & sunset so pretty. enjoyable
Written 20 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DillonM1905
Laramie, WY443 contributions
May 2023
This is a well preserved old fortification which served through several conflicts on the very edge of the island. I was very surprised this was also a rocket test location - very James Bond. A lot of old buildings and rooms preserved in the rock, including a tunnel out to the farthest lookout on the Needles. Excellent stop if you are in the area.
Written 23 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Keith C
Oxfordshire, UK16 contributions
May 2023
Very interesting place to visit. The tearoom is very disappointing! It is on the first floor. It is extremely small and quite noisy.
Written 23 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LazyRizzo
Midlands168 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
This was easily accessible on my mobility scooter, lovely views across to Alum Bay and lots of birds singing. As NT Members we got in free, and had free parking (blue badge). Plenty of signage to explain what you were seeing, and helpful guides there if needed. I guess seeing the chalk stacks of the Needles itself is a thing ticked off a list, who knows how long they will remain with climate change and sea & wind erosion.
Written 22 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mark P
Hampshire, UK1Â 722 contributions
May 2023 • Friends
Very interesting National Trust property. Take the trip through the tunnel for the best view of the Needles, although the spiral staircase will be a challenge for some.
Coffee shop is very nice too, with great views.
Coffee shop is very nice too, with great views.
Written 17 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Angela c
9 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
Really worth a trip to learn about history old and new, see the needles and make use of the (as always) lovely national trust tearoom. We went on a 30min tour with NT staff member John which was fascinating.
Written 3 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BathMissa
Bath, UK154 contributions
Have a toddler under 2, how safe is the cable thing ride? Will we need to put him in a sling?
NataliaD D
Cambridge, UK296 contributions
We walked both ways. It's a lovely and pleasant walk especially in a good weather. We also saw few cars and even a bus driving pass, so I'm sure there is a way to get there using a transport.
Andy K
Bristol, UK41 contributions
I want to go on the cable car etc. I understand car parking is £5.00. Do motorbikes have to pay, if so how much? Thanks
ClearlyAM
Royal Wootton Bassett, UK342 contributions
I am not sure - but I would think they might be less - they have been really helpful when I have called the Needles Landmark (the chairlift/ car parking is different to National Trust) in the past - you can call them on 01983 752 401.
Robert M
Blackburn, UK40 contributions
Hi Please can you let me know the opening times will be over Christmas, as we are only on the Island for 4 days. Regards Robert
Remarks4711
Folkestone, UK90 contributions
Closed Xmas/Boxing day, New Years Day, but only open weather permitting 10am to 4pm. Hoteliers will have more info, this is a bleak, windy location, £5 parking. We went mid September, good luck Xmas time.
Alid12
Resolven, UK63 contributions
Are dogs allowed on the chairlift if held ?
Fiona jane W
Surrey, UK331 contributions
no they are not and I wouldn't recommend it !
fannyblot
UK30 contributions
We have heard of the great view of the Needles from the Battery. However we are in our 80s and not very mobile.
How close can we park, and how far would we need to walk?
Will the Battery be open on 16th/ 17th February?
Gary
Isle of Wight, UK
Hi
The normal parking is 1.5 miles away from the Battery, however we have 2 disabled bays at the site. As there is very little room for parking and turning around if those bays are taken, we ask that you ring ahead (when you are on your way)01983 754772 and ask if there is a bay available. The Battery isn't fully open until 14 March, however the site is open and the Tearooms are open from 14 february to 22 February for half term. There are stunning views from the Tearoom, so you are able to enjoy a cuppa & a slice of cake and soak in the views.
I hope that helps.
Kathryn
Visitor Operations Manager
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