Visiting the Battery

Needles Tour Bus

There are a number of different ways to travel to the Needles Batteries, some requiring more effort than others! Unfortunately there is not any provision for car parking at The Needles Battery, except for disabled visitors, who need to make prior arrangements by telephoning the Battery on 01983 754772. For the less active visitor there is an open top bus service that runs on a circular trip that takes in Yarmouth, Freshwater Bay, The Needles Pleasure Park, The Needles Battery and returns to Yarmouth via The Needles Pleasure Park, Totland and Fort Victoria. This is a half-hourly service and the ticket gives the opportunity to stop off and visit places en-route and rejoin the trip later. There are two bus stops at the Battery, one on Highdown, where the service terminates, and another at the entrance road to the Old Battery. Dismount at High Down to see the remains of the New Battery, the rocket testing display, the National Trust visitor point and snackbar, the Needles viewpoint. An all down hill walk from High Down brings you to the Old Battery or alternatively you can rejoin the bus service for the trip down the hill.

Car parking is available at The Needles Pleasure Park, currently £3 per day, and a reasonably easy half-hour walk brings you to the Old Battery. Alternatively parking is available at the National Trust car park (OS map ref. SZ 3245 8555) at the end of Highdown Lane, Totland. There is a choice from there of taking a steep path, that comes out on Tennyson Down at the Tennyson Memorial, or an easier walk along the bottom of the down. Both distances are approximately 3 kilometres (see the 'Circular Walk' page for maps and directions for a pleasant excursion). Another choice is to use the public car park at Freshwater Bay and walk over Tennyson Down, the distance for that is approximately 5 kilometres but is quite strenuous. Whichever method is chosen for the visit the trip will be rewarded by magnificent views of stunning coastal scenery.

Refreshments and snacks are available in the tearoom at the Old Battery, admission has to be paid before being able to use this facility. On the walk from Highdown Lane, or from Freshwater Bay, it is worth making a short detour to Warren Farm where snacks and cream teas are available. Warren Farm has seasonal opening times and these are displayed on signs from the footpath. The Needles Pleasure Park offers everything from ice creams to restaurant facilities and has public toilets.