Needles Park

Needles Park is a Landmark Attraction (Alum Bay) and is a popular, bustling family destination, though its beach is more about dramatic scenery than sunbathing. It is excellent for families, offering a iconic chairlift, boat trips, and sand-filling activities, though it can feel very commercialized.

The Beach at Alum Bay is a relatively small beach known for its stunning multi-coloured sand cliffs and pebbles rather than being a traditional soft sand sunbathing beach. You can access the beach via a dramatic, steep chairlift or a set of 189 steps.

Needles Park is considered very family-friendly, offering a mix of classic amusement rides, educational history, and natural beauty. The most popular activities are the chairlift, a must-do ride from the top of the cliff down to the beach, offering fantastic views of the rocks. Another popular activity is to take a boat from the beach to get a close-up view of the Needles rocks and lighthouse.
A move traditional activity particularly for younger children is sand filling, a classic Isle of Wight tradition. This involves filling glass containers with the famous coloured sand from the cliffs.

Other attractions are Jurassic Adventure Golf, a 4D cinema, a carousel, and a sweet-making shop.

There is a historic site nearby and many walk up to the National Trust-run Old Battery to learn about rocket testing and see spectacular views.