The Needles, Old Battery, and New Battery


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Europe » United Kingdom » England » Isle of Wight » Freshwater
January 10th 2011
Published: January 10th 2011
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In 1862, the Needles Old Battery, known as a Victorian fort was built and used throughout both world wars. The Parade ground has been converted to the exhibition rooms. You will find two original guns, a series of articles, photos, documents in relation to the war period as well as vivid cartoons by Geoff Campion. An underground tunnel leads you to a searchlight emplacement with dramatic views over the Needles rocks.

The New Battery, further up the headland, has an exhibition on the secret British rocket test undertaken during the Cold War.

Alum Bay, western coastline of Isle of Wight, is one of the most beautiful coastlines in the island. The area of the Needles rocks and multicoloured cliff has been registered as an Area of Outstanding Beauty. You can ride on the lift from the Pleasure Park. From the Pleasure Park and lift, you can overlook the azure coloured sea, multicoloured cliff, chalky rocks, and see the harbours of the main islands of the UK, if it’s a clear day.

The boat services are run in the summer period. It descends from the harbour around the multicoloured cliff, and runs every hour in a sunny and summer afternoon. The passengers can enjoy seeing multicoloured cliff, golden beach, while boat is going away from the harbour. The boat takes passengers to the close point to the Needles rocks. The biggest rock has the lighthouse which was operated in the past. Having been detached from the island, Needles rocks have been unable to return to the island again. Also, the detached rocks are too small for the humans to land. They seem to have become the home for seagulls and migratory birds.


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