National Trust - The Needles Old Battery & New Battery

The Needles Old Battery feels like a lookout post at the edge of the world. The views are amazing, though it must have been quite a lonely place to live. The exhibition is great, with a mix of history and scenery. Don’t miss the underground observation room. The long, dark passage leading to it is a bit spooky but worth it. And be sure to walk up the slope to the rooftop. The sea view on the other side is just as stunning!

an incredible couple of hours spent here. We got a return on the cable car, £10 per adult. Really good price. Had beautiful views of the ocean coming down, we then went straight onto the boat ride, again incredibly priced. 20 mins out to sea and a view of the needles, beautiful sights. We were lucky enough to have stunning weather. Cable car back up to the top after a lovely walk along the beach and then made our sand jars and played crazy golf. Hasn't changed since I came when I was little.

Beautiful autumn day for a hike and this didn't disappoint. Stunning views of the Needles. Well worth the trek. You can also drive but why would you if you can manage the coastal path then do. It's beautiful.

Love a National Trust, and if you are doing Tennyson Down it is definitely worth stopping by the Old Fort. I really liked how they have restored parts of the site and brought it to life. It is not very big so it does not take long to go around, but it is nice to wander through and the views of the Needles are amazing and were the real highlight. They also have a tea room, which to be honest was not that great, a bit of a shame given how lovely some other National Trust tea rooms are. It could have been something really charming like the one at the lighthouse in Dorset. The walk to the fort was another highlight and is so beautiful with lots of wildlife. A really stunning area.

Great history about the Fort listed. I recommend a visit if you go. Not too expensive to get in but it is a national trust place so it's a must do if you have a membership. Very windy when I went so be prepared when walking along the cliff top. There is an enclosed walk way to a view advantage point inside the cliff, at some points this is narrow so I wouldn't recommend if you are claustrophobic

A bit of a walk from the 'Needles Attraction' but it's on a fairly level road. There's not much at the Old Battery but it's worth a look if you're a NT member. Probably not worth the entrance if not. If you pick a decent day, the views are spectacular though.

It took about 30 min with kids to wander along to here from the car park (tell them you’re an NT member for £2 off). Did it on a hot and sunny day but lovely views on the way and from the battery. Interesting displays and the tunnel down is cool, if not pretty narrow! Place to get a coffee and plenty of places to sit and eat a picnic. Worth a visit especially if an NT member.

The only way I know how to access it is a long walk, but I think a public bus may drop off outside (saw a few green ones). I personally think its a bit expensive to get in, but once inside its immaculate so you see where the money goes. I liked the comic book style drawings, the tunnel and getting a whole feel for the place. The only thing I'd say is if you intend to walk there, and see both the old and new battery allow plenty of time, because the new battery shuts at 4pm old battery 5pm so we hadn't allowed enough time to do both. Definitely nip into the cafe at the old battery as the coffee and cakes were amazing.

This is surprisingly better than I remember it being. Granted last time I came I was a kid and old buildings weren't my thing! Basically this battery was constructed at the end of the 19th century as a method of defending the solent. It never really saw active service and by the time WW2 came around the whole shebang had moved a bit further up the cliff into the 'new battery' which was able to take the weight of the guns. The old battery was used mainly for training, but the fact that it didn't see active service means that it is well preserved. Some of the original cannon are still in place which is a great photo opportunity and by following the tunnel to the search light emplacement means that you can get a cracking photo of the needles themselves. Worth a visit, and of course because it's NT then your money is going to a good cause.