"Enjoy memorable views of this iconic Isle of Wight landscape."
Walk directions
Walk up the metalled lane from the miniature lighthouse at the car park entrance, towards the Needles Old Battery. Just beyond the first bend, nip up the steps on your right for panoramic views of Alum Bay and the Solent and continue above the road for about 650yds (594m).
Cross the road, turn left onto the signposted coastal path and climb steeply away from the road, over a stile and up the slopes of West High Down. Go through the kissing gate and walk ahead across the tarmac of the New Battery, which dates from World War II. Reach the coastguard station for a view down to The Needles. Retrace your steps to go back through the gate, and take the path up to the right, past cottages. Follow the coastal path towards the summit of the Down.
Bear left and follow the grassy path along the ridge towards the trig point, with spectacular views all the way along the south coast from Tennyson’s Monument to St Catherine’s Point and Fort Victoria on the north shore. The gorse bushes cluster round as you drop down towards the fence that heralds the climb onto Tennyson Down.
Don’t go through the gate here but double back left onto the grassy path that drops downhill towards a whitewashed house in the trees ahead. As you draw level with the house, turn right over the stile and follow the enclosed path past the houses to a stile on your left. Nip across and walk down beside the hedge to a stile near the junction with Alum Bay Old Road.
Turn left along the road towards Needles Old Battery for 200yds (183m), passing Heatherdown House, then turn right over the stile onto footpath T16 towards Headon Warren. Keep the wire fence on your left as you climb the slope to a stile, cross over into the National Trust’s estate and climb 100yds (91m) to a wooden signpost.
Turn left just before the signpost and walk along the path through the bushes. Views to the Needles open up as the path swings right and climbs to a junction. Turn left, passing the burial mound on your right, and keep ahead along the gravel path through the heather as far as a bench seat and coastal path way marker post.
Turn left and follow the coastal path (steep at first) downhill towards the car park. Keep left at the fork following the coastal path waymarker, then left at the T-junction and follow the path down to a gate. Keep ahead to meet the road. Turn right, then left and follow the coastal path back to the car park.
If you enjoy razzmatazz, fairground rides and a liberal dose of shopping for souvenirs, then the Needles Park will be right up your street. From the carousel and the teacup ride to the glass studio and the sweet manufactory, there’s sure to be something that takes your fancy. But don’t leave... Needles Park without seeing the monument to Marconi, close to the viewing platform at the far end of the park. For it was here, at the age of just 23, that the Italian-born wireless pioneer established his experimental wireless telegraphy station at the old Royal Needles Hotel in 1897. But if your tastes are quieter or more cerebral, don’t worry – there’s plenty here for you, too. The bustle of Needles Park is quickly left behind and if a westerly wind doesn’t take your breath away, then the scenery most certainly will. From his home at nearby Farringford, the Victorian poet laureate Alfred, Lord Tennyson, declared that the clifftop air was worth sixpence a pint and its value has certainly appreciated since then. With a clear blue sky and the wind behind you, the walk across West High Down is as close to flying as you can get without actually leaving the ground and the view across Alum Bay to the coloured cliffs is one that you won’t easily forget. Right at the start of your walk you’ll see the small replica Needles lighthouse just as you leave the car park. Its full-size counterpart has stood at the western end of the Needles since 1859, when it replaced an earlier structure at the top of the Downs. The light, which stands 80ft (24m) above sea level, is visible for up to 14 miles (22.5km) and was originally tended by a resident keeper and at least two assistants. The lighthouse, however, was converted to automatic operation in 1994. A tunnel above the Needles Don't miss the Needles Old Battery, which is open daily, perched high on the cliffs above the Needles rocks. The imposing Victorian fort was built in 1862 and saw active service in both World Wars. Children will love the underground tunnel that leads out to a searchlight post, and the clifftop National Trust tea room is a favourite with people of all ages. An open-top bus drives up from the car park frequently in the summer season.
Small and intimate – at just 23 miles by 13 miles, the Isle of Wight is a popular holiday destination; with its mild climate, long hours of sunshine and colourful architecture, it has something of a continental flavour. Visitors can walk along the island’s varied coastline using the well-established Coast Path or step back in time to explore the island’s history at some of the forts and castles.
"Enjoy memorable views of this iconic Isle of Wight landscape."
Walk details
1hr 45min
Difficulty:
Hard
Gradient:
Challenging
Distance:
3.75 miles (6kms)
Ascent:
460ft (140m)
Walk directions
Walk up the metalled lane from the miniature lighthouse at the car park entrance, towards the Needles Old Battery. Just beyond the first bend, nip up the steps on your right for panoramic views of Alum Bay and the Solent and continue above the road for about 650yds (594m).
1 of 7
Cross the road, turn left onto the signposted coastal path and climb steeply away from the road, over a stile and up the slopes of West High Down. Go through the kissing gate and walk ahead across the tarmac of the New Battery, which dates from World War II. Reach the coastguard station for a view down to The Needles. Retrace your steps to go back through the gate, and take the path up to the right, past cottages. Follow the coastal path towards the summit of the Down.
2 of 7
Bear left and follow the grassy path along the ridge towards the trig point, with spectacular views all the way along the south coast from Tennyson’s Monument to St Catherine’s Point and Fort Victoria on the north shore. The gorse bushes cluster round as you drop down towards the fence that heralds the climb onto Tennyson Down.
3 of 7
Don’t go through the gate here but double back left onto the grassy path that drops downhill towards a whitewashed house in the trees ahead. As you draw level with the house, turn right over the stile and follow the enclosed path past the houses to a stile on your left. Nip across and walk down beside the hedge to a stile near the junction with Alum Bay Old Road.
4 of 7
Turn left along the road towards Needles Old Battery for 200yds (183m), passing Heatherdown House, then turn right over the stile onto footpath T16 towards Headon Warren. Keep the wire fence on your left as you climb the slope to a stile, cross over into the National Trust’s estate and climb 100yds (91m) to a wooden signpost.
5 of 7
Turn left just before the signpost and walk along the path through the bushes. Views to the Needles open up as the path swings right and climbs to a junction. Turn left, passing the burial mound on your right, and keep ahead along the gravel path through the heather as far as a bench seat and coastal path way marker post.
6 of 7
Turn left and follow the coastal path (steep at first) downhill towards the car park. Keep left at the fork following the coastal path waymarker, then left at the T-junction and follow the path down to a gate. Keep ahead to meet the road. Turn right, then left and follow the coastal path back to the car park.
If you enjoy razzmatazz, fairground rides and a liberal dose of shopping for souvenirs, then the Needles Park will be right up your street. From the carousel and the teacup ride to the glass studio and the sweet manufactory, there’s sure to be something that takes your fancy. But don’t leave... Needles Park without seeing the monument to Marconi, close to the viewing platform at the far end of the park. For it was here, at the age of just 23, that the Italian-born wireless pioneer established his experimental wireless telegraphy station at the old Royal Needles Hotel in 1897. But if your tastes are quieter or more cerebral, don’t worry – there’s plenty here for you, too. The bustle of Needles Park is quickly left behind and if a westerly wind doesn’t take your breath away, then the scenery most certainly will. From his home at nearby Farringford, the Victorian poet laureate Alfred, Lord Tennyson, declared that the clifftop air was worth sixpence a pint and its value has certainly appreciated since then. With a clear blue sky and the wind behind you, the walk across West High Down is as close to flying as you can get without actually leaving the ground and the view across Alum Bay to the coloured cliffs is one that you won’t easily forget. Right at the start of your walk you’ll see the small replica Needles lighthouse just as you leave the car park. Its full-size counterpart has stood at the western end of the Needles since 1859, when it replaced an earlier structure at the top of the Downs. The light, which stands 80ft (24m) above sea level, is visible for up to 14 miles (22.5km) and was originally tended by a resident keeper and at least two assistants. The lighthouse, however, was converted to automatic operation in 1994. A tunnel above the Needles Don't miss the Needles Old Battery, which is open daily, perched high on the cliffs above the Needles rocks. The imposing Victorian fort was built in 1862 and saw active service in both World Wars. Children will love the underground tunnel that leads out to a searchlight post, and the clifftop National Trust tea room is a favourite with people of all ages. An open-top bus drives up from the car park frequently in the summer season.
Small and intimate – at just 23 miles by 13 miles, the Isle of Wight is a popular holiday destination; with its mild climate, long hours of sunshine and colourful architecture, it has something of a continental flavour. Visitors can walk along the island’s varied coastline using the well-established Coast Path or step back in time to explore the island’s history at some of the forts and castles.
