Attraction
The Needles Rocks are some of the most photographed groups of rocks in the world. This row of three distinctive chalk stacks features in all the classic views of the Isle of Wight – a truly unforgettable image.
The name ‘Needles’ is believed to have been derived from a slender tapering rock pinnacle that was formerly situated a little to the north, on the Alum Bay side of the present central rock.
This needle-shaped rock, about 120ft high and known as ‘Lot’s Wife’, collapsed into the sea in 1764 with a crash, which was said to have been heard many miles away. The stump of this pinnacle can still be seen at low tide where it forms a dangerous reef.
The Needles form the western tip of a band of chalk that crosses the centre of the Isle of Wight, stretching to Culver Cliff in the east. This chalk ridge continues west under the sea to Dorset’s Isle of Purbeck and is believed to have been connected at one time to Old Harry Rocks about 20 miles away.
In 5,000 BC, this ridge was breached by the Solent River, creating the Isle of Wight with its jagged white rocks at the western tip. These unusually vertical rocks are a result of the heavy folding of chalk and the remaining stacks of hard chalk are extremely resistant to erosion.
As we are a big family we bought the supersaver tickets to go on chairlift. This was amazing, I am not good with heights but it was very gentle and the views were stunning. Alum bay is gorgeous, we were lucky with the weather and spent about an hour on the beach...Lovely day out, something you should see if you go to the Isle of Wight
Sarah, Exeter
We visited as a large family group and went on the cables cars down to the beach, this was great fun and we all agreed we would do it again on our next holiday.
Felicity, Truro
What a stunning place, so beautiful in any weather. The views are incredible.
A. Whittall, Hampshire