Month: October 2024

Alum Bay and Needles, Isle of Wight

At Alum Bay various attractions are to be found. The National Trust have the Old Battery and New Battery on top of the headland, with views of the Needles.  Be aware that parking is at Alum Bay and a walk to the top and back will take over an hour.  There is however a bus service that goes to the top. From halfway up, one can get great views of the multi-coloured cliff and the beach and excursion pier.

Closer to the car & coach park, amidst the tourist stuff you can find a viewing platform (free) that gives a view of the Needles.  There is a stepped path (free) that leads down to the beach. It is a long way down.  The chairlift will take you down to the beach and back for a fee of several pounds.

Needles in distance
Marconi radio memorial
Cliffs

Yarmouth Castle, Isle of Wight

English Heritage

Construction of the castle was begun in 1547, as the last of Henry VIII’s forts built to defend the English coast. It is square in plan with a projecting bastion. By 1565 the design had been modified by filling in much of the space to provide a solid elevated gun platform on the northern side. The castle was used as a defensive point or barracks until the 1890’s, and also used for various purposes during WWI and WWII.

The angle bastion is the oldest surviving in an English castle.

Today, the castle contains besides the gun platform an entrance courtyard, the Master Gunner’s House, and a long attic once used for accommodation.

The castle is worth a visit if you are in the area. I spotted the English Heritage flag flying from the castle while walking on the wooden pier, and had a hunt around for the entrance.

EH Yarmouth Castle
No pictures – I bought a guidebook.

Isle of Wight Steam Railway

The railway, a relic of former steam services on the island, runs between Wootton, Havenstreet and Smallbrook, with the main station being at Havenstreet.

The standard gauge steam hauled service is more or less hourly, or half-hourly at peak season.

There is a substantial railway museum at Havenstreet, with engines and rolling stock, with a lower admission charge if you don’t want a train ride.

The site can be accessed by car, by the Isle of Wight electric railway, or by bus.  Ferries connect the mainland to Ryde or Fishbourne.

Worth a visit if you are a steam train buff.

view down track
Tank engine
Museum hall
Victorian carriage detail
Tank engine