The Needles Landmark Attraction

About The Needles Landmark Attraction


Iconic & Unforgettable, A Great Value Day Out!

The Needles offers a great value day out for all ages including an amazing open top bus ride, spectacular boat trips, an immersive 4D cinema adventure, children’s attractions, Jurassic golf, and the traditional Alum Bay ‘sand filling’ experience that dates back to Victorian times. 

The Needles Chairlift

One of the most memorable experiences at the Needles is the famous chairlifts, transporting guests from high on the Alum Bay cliffs down to the stunning beach below, with iconic multicoloured sands. The Needles chairlift is not only the best way of accessing the beach but offers breath-taking views over Alum Bay as you descend.

Alum Bay boat trips

For a dramatic trip around the Needles rocks and lighthouse visitors can take a pleasure boat from the jetty with panoramic views of the Alum Bay sand cliffs and the Needles chairlift. Visitors can choose from a leisurely 20-minute cruise around the Needles, or an adrenaline filled 15-minute trip on the high-speed rib. Either way, you are guaranteed to have a rewarding and unforgettable experience.

The Isle of Wight Sweet Manufactory

The perfect attraction for kids young and old, the Isle of Wight sweet manufactory allows guests to watch experienced confectioners creating a selection of lip-smacking sweets and even sample some of the delicious treats. There is also a fully stocked gift shop where visitors can choose from a variety of sweets such as traditional rhubarb and custard or the signature Wight mints.

The Needles is open all year round from 10am until 4pm, with later opening hours during the summer months and on special event dates, such as Music and Magic in the Skies during August (Thursday 1st August until Thursday 29th August)

For five weeks only The Needles are open late every Thursday for a non-stop party of games, live music and street entertainment with a spectacular pyromusical finale *lighting up the skies above the Needles. For exact daily closing times, please ring directly on 01983 752401 on either the morning of your visit or the day before and we’ll be happy to advise.

The family attractions cease operating during the winter months as well as the iconic chairlift between November and March, although the site remains open with a selection of catering and retail outlets, as well as Alum Bay Glass blowing demonstrations, operating between 10:00am and 4:00pm.

A car park charge of £5.00 applies from 1st April to the 29th October with free parking at all other times.

Experience it your way by only paying for the activities you want to enjoy – invest in a book of supersaver tickets and save 25% on the great value rides and attractions. A book of 12 supersaver tickets cost £9.00 so remember to either book online via the website or grab them when you arrive and start saving straight away!

Why should I visit?

    • Landmark Location – For a dramatic trip around the Needles rocks and lighthouse, take a pleasure boat from the jetty with panoramic views of Alum Bay sand cliffs and iconic chairlift
    • Fascinating History – The Needles Rocks, Famous Alum Bay coloured sands, Marconi’ Monument…marks the precise location of the first radio transmit
    • The Needles Landmark Attraction spectacular chairlift ride to the beach grabbing a bird’s eye view of the multi-colored sand cliff of Alum Bay and the stunning turquoise waters beyond.
    • The World Famous Alum Bay Glass – Live demonstrations leading into the unique glass shop and exclusive.
    • The Isle of Wight Sweet Manufactory – Watch the confectioners create sweet treats in front of your very eyes that you’ll find nowhere else – and then get to sample the results.

Facilities

Assistance dogs allowed
Baby changing facilities
Cafe
Disabled access
Disabled parking available
Dogs accepted
Gift shop
On site parking
Restaurant
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Next event

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Discount tickets and vouchers

There are currently no discounts available on tickets, parking or entry. Please sign up to get the latest vouchers as they become available. Or View all of our vouchers.

Where to find us

Address

Alum Bay
Isle of Wight
PO39 0JD

Find us online

By Car

For those of you using satellite navigation, the postcode is PO39 0JD and The Needles is signposted from all major routes including the A3054 via Yarmouth, the B3401 and B3399 via Freshwater and the A3055 via Freshwater Bay.

By Bus

The number 7 Southern Vectis bus from Newport serves Alum Bay regularly. For more information, please use their Customer Services number 01983 827000 (Mon-Fri) or visit the Southern Vectis Website at www.islandbuses.info.
An open top Breezer bus also operates up to every 30 minutes between Yarmouth and Alum Bay. After stopping at The Needles it winds its way along the cliff top to the National Trust property, The Needles Battery.

The Southern Vectis Island Coaster serves The Needles every day in the summer. Leaving from Ryde at 9.30am and 10.00am, the service then travels to East Wight and includes Seaview, Bembridge, Sandown, Shanklin and Ventnor to collect passengers and then on to The Needles for a full day before leaving again at 4.30pm and 5.00pm.

Kids activities

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  • Chairlift – The Needles iconic chairlift is the best way to see the Isle of Wight’s most famous landmark.
  • Sand Shop – The natural multi-coloured sands of Alum Bay have been collected and made into souvenirs since early Victorian times.
  • Glass Blowing – you can watch the live demonstrations from the skilled craftsmen at Alum Bay Glass. Local island craftsmen work their magic to create stunning perfume bottles, vases, bowls and ornaments in a wide range of colours, shapes and sizes.
  • Sweet Manufactory – you can watch in awe and wonder as the confectioners create sweet treats in front of your very eyes that you’ll find nowhere else – and then get to sample the results!
  • Children’s Attractions & Rides – 4D Cinema Experience, Boat Trips, Water Peddler, Tea Cup Ride, Carousel, Waler Walkerz, Jurassic Golf.

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