Educational Visits to the Needles Battery
Live Life on the Edge
Introduction
The Needles Batteries cover history from the Victorians to the Cold War looking at both the military
and social history affecting this superb coastal site.
What can we offer?
Rooms returned to their Victorian roots
Guided tours by expert staff and volunteers
The Suitcase of History - with handling items from the Second World War
Tracker packs for schools to explore the site in a structured manner
School Programmes
The Needles Old Battery Tour
An in depth tour of the Old Battery covering the history of the site from Victorians to World War 2 looking at the
original guns, the searchlight tunnel and the magazine.
Key Stage - 1,2 and 3
Curriculum links - history, science and technology
Duration - 1 hour
Availability - Monday to Friday mid March to October at 10.30, 12.30 or 2.30
The Needles New Battery Tour
The tour looks at the history of the New Battery from its Victorian Roots to the Highdown rocket test site and Britain's
part in the space race.
Key Stage 2 and 3 curriculum links - history, science and technology
Duration - 1 hour
Availability - Monday to Friday mid March to October at 10.30, 12.30 or 2.30
The Suitcase of History
Look at items from WW2 including ration books, information leaflets, an evacuees suitcase games and hobbies.
Key Stage - 1,2 and 3
Curriculum links - history, English
Duration - 1 hour
Availability - Monday to Friday mid March to October at 10.30 and 3.00
The Tracker Pack
Designed for the use of families or small groups (less than 8) led by an adult. The Pack offers the scenario of being a
soldier on watch at the Battery.
Key Stage - 1 and 2
Curriculum links - history
Duration - 40 minutes
Availability - Monday to Friday mid March to October between 10.30 and 3.00
The Needles Battery
Facilities
Lunch can be eaten looking over the famous Needles Rocks.
Lavatories can be found at the Old Battery only.
The Old Battery gift shop is open selling pocket money souvenirs and postcards.
Ice Cream and cold drinks can be purchased in our tearoom or New Battery kiosk.
Please be aware that there is no coach parking at the Needles Battery. Children should be dropped at the Needles Park and
there is a 3/4 mile walk along a well surfaced path to the Batteries. Groups should ensure they leave the park at least 30
minutes before their booked tour to ensure they arrive on time.
It is essential that children have suitable shoes for the amount of walking required and they bring warm clothing as the
site is very exposed.
A Model Risk Assessment can be downloaded by clicking here.
Make a booking
Please contact the Custodian for full details.
Max number per tour is 60.
Price for guided tour of the Old or New Battery £25.00. Tour of both sites £30.00. Suitcase of History price
on application.
Education Group Membership
Education Group Membership entitles the group to free entry to National Trust Properties for one year. This type of
membership is available to non-profit making groups whose members are in full time education. Schools can join at the
Needles Battery on the day of their visit.
EGM
| Under 50 pupils | £33 |
| 51 - 100 | £55 |
| 101 - 200 | £67.50 |
| 201 - 500 | £70 |
| Over 500 | £81 |
| Tertiary / Field Study | £104 |
These are the subscription rates for the 2010 Education Group Membership of the National Trust. These rates are valid from 1st March 2010 until 28th February 2011.