The Needles is one of the most beautiful spots on the Isle of Wight and perhaps it's most famous landmark. After living in Milford-on-Sea for nine months the grandchildren were desperate to visit.
The Needles is a row of three distinctive stacks of chalk that rise out of the sea off the western extremity of the island and is a must see. Actually, there used to be four stacks, but one of them collapsed during the great storm of 1764 - one of the tallest Needles in the famous rock formation - all that is left of it today is a large gap. The formation actually takes its name from the fourth needle-shaped pillar called Lot's Wife. The remaining rocks are not at all needle-like, but the name has stuck.
The Needles Lighthouse stands at the outer, western end of the formation.
There are a few ways to see this famous landmark.
We boarded the 10 am Lymington to Yarmouth ferry. It's an attractive trip sailing down the Lymington River and across the Western Solent. The crossing took 40 mins and we had good views of all the sailing boats through the big windows.
We then headed for The Needles - Landmark Attraction (previously known as The Needles Pleasure Park) situated at the top of the cliff at Alum Bay and is a small amusement park. Parking costs £6 for all day or £4 if you show your National Trust card. We started our day with a trip from the top of Alum Bay cliffs down to the beach below. Spectacular views of the picturesque Needles Rocks and Lighthouse as well on the chairlift which operates between the park and the beach. (You can walk down lots of steps instead). It was nice and quiet when we arrived and it was great fun, especially the drop over the cliff with fabulous views. Chloe thought it a little scary!! I have to say it's not for the faint hearted. The staff were fab with helping the children on and off - they had to wear masks because of this.
The beach is stony at the bottom but the colourful cliffs are very interesting and unusual to see. You can take a boat ride to The Needles.
Safely back at the top Chloe and Jamie opted for a Dino Jeep Ride. Well the Isle of Wight is also known as Dinosaur Island.
Our car was parked by some grass with lovely views so this is where we chose to eat our picnic.
Because of the Corona Virus our visit to the National Trust Needles Battery had to be pre-booked (we were 2 p.m.) so there was time for a game of Jurassic Crazy Golf before the mile walk up to the top of the cliff to look down onto the Needles.
The walk is incredibly picturesque and leads you to the National Trust Needles Battery. A former military installation where rockets were once secretly tested.
The Needles' pointed shape is a result of their unusual geology. The strata have been so heavily folded during the Alpine Orogeny that the chalk is near vertical. This chalk outcrop runs through the centre of the Island from Culver Cliff in the east to the Needles in the west, and then continues under the sea to the Isle of Purbeck, forming Ballard Cliff (near Swanage), Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door. At Old Harry Rocks (east of Studland and north of Swanage) these strata lines moving from horizontal to near vertical can be seen from the sea.
Just off the end of the Needles formation is the Shingles, a shifting shoal of pebbles just beneath the waves. The Shingles is approximately three miles in length. Many ships have been wrecked on the Shingles.
Such an enjoyable day and the visibility was superb.
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