Name: The Needles Headland and Tennyson Down
Rating: 5.0

The Needles Headland and Tennyson Down

Tennyson Down, Totland Bay, Isle of Wight PO39 0HY, UK

1-99 Years

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Description

The Needles Headland and Tennyson Down be inspired as Tennyson was Tennyson Down is probably one of the most popular places to walk on the Island. You can enjoy it just for the great leg-stretch from Freshwater Bay to the Needles Headland, and drink in the salt laden air that so inspired Tennyson. However every time you visit, the light and weather conditions are different so it is well worth returning.

A great place to be You are perched above high chalk cliffs and transluscent seas that reflect the light in so many different ways. Amongst the gorse bushes are small birds and thousands of minute downland flowers and cliff nesting birds soar effortlessly along the cliff tops using the updrafts.

If you are looking for Best place for day out with kids and families then this is the perfect destination offering fun, adventure, and unforgettable memories for everyone.

Features

Free
Host birthday parties: No

Features

Coast: Rolling downs, craggy white cliffs and far-reaching views on the most westerly point of the Isle of Wight.
Tennyson Monument: Monument erected to commemorate the poet who lived nearby, standing at the highest point of the chalk cliffs.
Headon Warren: Heather-covered heathland with remains of old military fort, a Bronze Age burial mound, and views over to the Needles rocks and the south coast of England.
Things to see and do at the Needles Headland and Tennyson Down: Exploring the open downland and sheer chalk cliffs of the Needles Headland and Tennyson Down is one of the top things to do on the Isle of Wight. Follow in the footsteps of Lord Tennyson with refreshing walks over the downs, take in panoramic sea views and discover how The Needles Old Battery and New Battery played an important part in British history.
Tennyson Down trail: An invigorating downland walk, with a splendid view of the iconic Needles, a 19th-century fort, a Cold War rocket test site and a monument to a Victorian poet laureate. Along the way you can refuel with a takeaway bite to eat from the Needles Old Battery tea-room.
Headon Warren walk: Head up Headon Warren – an exhilarating walk with great views of the mainland, and a Bronze Age burial mound to discover. This walk can be shortened to 3 miles (4.8km) by missing out Alum Bay.

Facilities

Car park: Parking available in High Down Pit car park.
Food & Drinks: Tea-room within the Needles Old Battery (admission applies).
Toilet: Toilets available within the Needles Old Battery (admission applies).
Dogs allowed: Dogs on leads are welcome. On Open Access land and at the coast, you must put your dog on a lead around livestock. It is a legal requirement to keep dogs on a lead in areas with ground-nesting birds from 1 March to 31 July, as indicated by information signs.

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Price

Price: Free

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: No

Countryside: Dawn - Dusk.

Address: Tennyson Down, Totland Bay, Isle of Wight PO39 0HY, UK

Post Code: PO39 0HY

Council: Isle of Wight

County: Isle of Wight

By road: The Needles and downs are at the west-most tip of the Isle of Wight, reached by the B3322 from Yarmouth/Totland or the Alum Bay road from Freshwater Bay. For access to Tennyson Down only, from Freshwater Bay, just off the A3055 and also from a small car park in an old chalk pit off the Alum Bay road by turning off at the High Down Inn and driving to the end of High Down Lane. Grid reference SZ325856.
On foot: Access on foot from Alum Bay to the Needles Old Battery is approximately ¾ of a mile along a well-surfaced private road. From there it is approximately a 40 minute walk to the Tennyson Monument.
By bus: Southern Vectis buses from Newport run to Alum Bay, via Yarmouth and Totland. Open-top buses do run to the Needles Old Battery from Alum Bay, less than a mile up the road. There is a 2-3 hourly service between Totland and Newport which follows the inland edge of Tennyson Down.
Cycling: The 'Round the Island' cycle path reaches Freshwater Bay, close to the eastern edge of Tennyson Down. Most of the down is not open to cyclists but there is a permitted bridleway that links to an existing bridleway that cyclists are welcome to use.
Car park: Parking available in High Down Pit car park.