The Needles Old Battery
and New Battery

The Needles Old Battery and New Battery, situated on the western tip of the Isle of Wight, are owned and protected by the National Trust.

They are always a popular tourist attraction and offer stunning views over The Solent towards Dorset and Hampshire ...

View from Old Battery - note the original guns on display

The Old Battery was built in 1860 against the threat of French invasion. Today it houses two of the original guns, plus a very interesting exhibition depicting the batteries' role during both World Wars.

Opening Hours
The Needles Old Battery will be open to the public daily from 13th March to 31st October 2010 from 10:30am to 5:00pm. N.B. KIDS GO FREE throughout August!

At the top of the old wartime signal station, you'll find a small tea room with wonderful views across to Dorset and Hampshire. The tea room will also be open daily from 13th March until 31st October 2010 from 10:30 am to 5:00 pm. Additionally, it will open from 6th November to 12th December 2010 and from 8th January to 27th February 2011 on Saturdays and Sundays only between the hours of 11:00am and 3:00pm - a boon for those enjoying a brisk weekend walk across the downs during the winter months!

For further information and prices, CLICK HERE.

The Needles New Battery will be open to the public on Tuesdays, Saturdays and Sundays from 13th March to 31st October 2010 from 11:00am to 4:00pm. It is also open during school holidays.

The Needles New Battery is situated 120 meters above sea level. It was built because the firing of huge guns at The Old Battery was causing the cliffs to crumble. It was completed in 1895.

High Down Rocket Test Site: Between 1955 and 1971 The New Battery was extended and used as a top secret space rocket and missile development centre.

High Down Rocket Test Site

Here, hundreds of scientists and engineers successfully built and tested, amongst many others, the infamous 'Black Knight' - a truly powerful space missile.

The team's greatest coup, however, was the 'Black Arrow', an 18 ton, three-stage rocket which successfully launched the first and only all-British satellite into space in October 1971.

Black Arrow

The concrete remains of the High Down rocket site have now been granted Ancient Monument status. Hopefully, one day, a Heritage Centre will be built here as a tribute to those many pioneers who worked here.

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