Isle of Wight Holiday: The Needles Old Battery & New Battery

After we visited Mottistone Gardens we headed towards The Needles.

We stopped on our way to take in the view which really was quite spectacular.

Another National Trust property we looked forward to exploring this area.

On our way up there was a little cottage which had all sorts of little characters and sayings outside.  It was quite amusing.

A spectacular afternoon for such a visit.

We arrive at The Needles Old Battery.

The first soldiers came to the Old Battery in 1864!  The last left in 1945 after the end of World War Two.   The job of the soldiers was to protect the Solent passage and dockyards at Portsmouth from enemy invasion.  

It was during the mid 1950s to 70s that the New Battery was used as a secret rocket testing site.  How exciting that must have been!  The remains of this can still be seen today, and we saw a little, but some parts were closed by the time we got there as we spent quite some time at the Old Battery exploring, admiring the views and having a cream tea!

On the walls of the first chambers and barracks were various fun and colourful information boards.

Inside the Shell Store.

Careful there!

Inspecting...

This is almost my size!

Inside the laboratory.

Gunpowder, I was glad it didn't go 'KaBoom!'

Oops, I don't think I should be climbing on here, but it was so tempting to get a better view.

Careful of your legs!

I figured it was safer standing on the canon, than having my legs hanging over the front.

There they are!

The Needles.

Mum and I.

Inside the Southern Position Finding Cell.

Inside the Searchlight position viewpoint.

Well we came down these, so I guess we have to go up.

Some examples of the rations they had to eat.

Information about what the Women at War did.

Trying on a cap for size after reading about various people.

Wow, look at that...I am glad I wasn't standing on that when it cracked open.

Beautiful sands.

Little bird.

Walking towards the New Battery, looking back at the Old Battery.

Loving the view

My turn now.

We realised some of this had closed by the time we got up here so had a look round before it was time to head back to the car.

What a wonderful afternoon we had here. We could easily have spent the whole day, but when you only have a week, you want to see as much as you can!