The Needles Headland & Tennyson Down
Stretching out from Alum bay, where the famous mult-coloured sand cliffs can be seen, the Needles are a rock formation stretching out into the ocean with a lighthouse at their head.
Sights & Culture
The Needles
A line of three outcroppings of chalk rise about thirty meters out of the sea from Alum Bay in the Isle of Wight. The fourth rock, a tall needle-shaped outcropping called Lot’s Wife, inspired the names, but this collapsed in 1764.
The Needles Lighthouse
A still active 19th Century li three stacks of chalk that rise about 30m out of the lighthouse warning ships of the seen and unseen rocks around the Needles. The first lighthouse here was constructed in 1781.
The needles telegraph station memorial
A small pillar just before the Viewpoint with information on some of the important firsts that were sent from the Needles Telegraph Station. Such as the first telegraph every paid for by Lord Kelvin.
The Needles Viewpoint
A small raised wooden platform gives a view across the bay to see the Needles and the old battery on the cliff edge.
Parks & Gardens
Alum Bay
A pebble beach with views of the Needles. The stairs and chairlift from the Needles attraction centre and bus stop lead down to here, and behind you the famous coloured sands cliffs loom. It is prohibited to take sand from the beach, you are able to buy or create your own striated sand creations in the gift shops above.
Boat trips to see the needles embark from this beach.
Shoppping
The Needles Landmark Attraction
A series of rides, ice cream shops, cafes, arcades and gift shops forms the attractions center at the top of the mult-coloured sand cliffs. From here you can use the viewpoint, take the cable car or walk down to the Alum Bay pebble beach.
The Needles Gift Shop
Offering the normal soiveniers you’d expect from a British Seaside gift shop as well as some local items like coffee beans and soaps.
Sports & Activities
The Needles Chair Lift
Small two person chair lifts running from the top of the cliffs to the beach at the bottom. The views are nice, but the route down is quite short and well staired so at £8 for a return trip, it may not be the best use of your money.
Needles Pleasure Cruises
Either a boat or a yellow rib depending on what you’re planning to do. The boat is a gentle trip out to see the needles and the lighthouse before taking a wide sweep back to the beach. No lifejackets needed and a nice narration on what you are seeing.
The rib is much faster, wetter and requires everyone to have a life vest. The queue is also typically longer. The rib goes around the lighthouse and gives you a view of the other side of the Needles.
