{{Short description|Row of sea stacks, England}} {{About|the landform in England}} {{Use British English|date=October 2013}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2024}}
thumb|The Needles – View from the viewpoint near the former experimental rocket testing station [[File:TheNeedles - Remy - Osman - Wikipedia.JPG|thumb|upright|The Needles from the cliffs inshore at The Needles Battery showing the Needles Lighthouse]] thumb|Close-up of the needles
'''The Needles''' are a row of three stacks of chalk that rise about {{convert|30|m|ft}} out of the sea off the western extremity of the Isle of Wight in the English Channel, United Kingdom, close to Alum Bay and Scratchell's Bay, and part of Totland, the westernmost civil parish of the Isle of Wight. The Needles Lighthouse stands at the outer, western end of the formation. Built in 1859, it has been automated since 1994.<ref name=TrinityHouseNeedlesLighthouse>{{cite web|url=http://www.trinityhouse.co.uk/interactive/gallery/needles.html|title=Needles Lighthouse|publisher=Trinity House|date=n.d.|access-date=25 May 2010|archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20100502065819/http://www.trinityhouse.co.uk/interactive/gallery/needles.html|archive-date=2 May 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> The waters and adjoining seabed form part of the Needles Marine Conservation Zone and the Needles along with the shore and heath above are part of the Headon Warren and West High Down Site of Special Scientific Interest.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://designatedsites.naturalengland.org.uk/SiteGeneralDetail.aspx?SiteCode=UKMCZ0040&SiteName=the%20needles&countyCode=&responsiblePerson=&SeaArea=&IFCAArea=|title=The Needles MCZ|website=Natural England|access-date=2017-12-07}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://designatedsites.naturalengland.org.uk/PDFsForWeb/Citation/1000546.pdf|title=Headon Warren and West High Down SSSI|date=1984|website=Natural England|access-date=2017-12-07}}</ref>
== Name == The name is from Old English nǣdl, referring to the needle-like shape of Lot's Wife, a chalk stack ~{{Convert|120|ft|m}} that collapsed in 1764.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Mills |first=A.D |title=The Place-Names of The Isle of Wight |publisher=Shaun Tyas |year=1996}}</ref><ref name="theneedles.co.uk">{{cite web |url=http://www.theneedles.co.uk/history.php |title=The History of The Needles at Alum Bay |website=The Needles Park |access-date=25 October 2007 |archive-date=28 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110728172838/http://www.theneedles.co.uk/history.php |url-status=dead }}</ref> The remaining rocks are not at all needle-like, but the name has stuck.
1333: Nedlen
1409: les Nedeles
1583: The Nedles
1600: The Nedells
The 14th century spelling used to old dialectal plural form -''en''.<ref name=":0" />
== History == The Needles were featured on the BBC Two TV programme ''Seven Natural Wonders'' (2005) as one of the wonders of Southern England.
During Storm Eunice on 18 February 2022, the highest recorded wind gust in England was provisionally recorded at The Needles, at {{convert|122|mph|km/h}}.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-60439651 |title=Storm Eunice: Three people killed as strong winds sweep across UK |last=Lee |first=Joseph |publisher=BBC News |date=18 February 2022 |access-date=19 February 2022}}</ref>
LB&SCR H2 class 4-4-2 no. 423 (later no. B423 and 2423) was named ''The Needles'' after this landmark.
==Tourism== The Needles lie just to the southwest of Alum Bay, and are a tourist draw. Scenic boat trips operate from Alum Bay that offer close-up views of the Needles and the lighthouse. They have become icons of the Isle of Wight, often photographed by visitors, and are featured on many of the souvenirs sold throughout the island.
The main tourist attractions of the headland itself are the two gun batteries, the experimental rocket testing station, and the four coastguard cottages owned by the National Trust.{{citation needed|date=March 2016}} A branch of the National Coastwatch Institution is also based at the Needles, sited near the New Battery and Rocket Testing Site on High Down. The Needles – Landmark Attraction (previously known as The Needles Pleasure Park) situated at the top of the cliff at Alum Bay is a small amusement park. A chairlift operates between the park and the beach.<ref name="theneedles.co.uk"/>
==Military use== {{See also|The Needles Batteries}} The Needles were a site of a long-standing artillery battery, from the 1860s to 1954, which was eventually decommissioned.{{citation needed|date=March 2016}}
A nearby site on High Down was employed in the testing of rockets for the British ICBM programme.<ref>[http://www.theneedlesbattery.org.uk/rocket.shtml High Down Rocket Test Site] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070918211251/http://www.theneedlesbattery.org.uk/rocket.shtml |date=18 September 2007 }},[http://www.theneedlesbattery.org.uk/index.html The Needles Battery website] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071009173400/http://www.theneedlesbattery.org.uk/index.html |date=9 October 2007 }}</ref> The headland at High Down was used for Black Knight<ref>[http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-theneedlesoldbattery/w-theneedlesoldbattery-seeanddo.htm Black Knight Testing at The Needles] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080327065721/http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-theneedlesoldbattery/w-theneedlesoldbattery-seeanddo.htm |date=27 March 2008 }}</ref> and Black Arrow<ref>''When Britain Joined the Space Race'', Civil Service Motoring Association ''Motoring & Leisure'' magazine, May 2006, p130</ref> rocket engine tests from 1956 to 1971. During the peak of activity in the early 1960s some 240 people worked at the complex, while the rockets were built in nearby East Cowes. These rockets were later used to launch the Prospero X-3 satellite. The site is now owned by the National Trust, and is open to the public. Concrete installations remain, but the buildings that were less durable have either been demolished or were torn down by the elements.
In 1982, Prince Charles officially opened the restored Needles Old Battery facility. Underground rocket testing rooms are currently being restored for exhibition. The first phase of restoration was completed in 2004.<ref>[http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-theneedlesoldbattery/w-theneedlesoldbattery-seeanddo.htm What to See and Do] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080327065721/http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-theneedlesoldbattery/w-theneedlesoldbattery-seeanddo.htm |date=27 March 2008 }}, [http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-theneedlesoldbattery.htm The Needles Old Battery] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071014061526/http://nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-theneedlesoldbattery.htm |date=14 October 2007 }}, National Trust website.</ref>
===Access=== [[File:Beautiful Britain - The Isle of Wight - by G.E. Mitton - 8 THE NEEDLES.jpg|thumb|left|upright|The Needles – From the Beautiful Britain series, The Isle of Wight, by G. E. Mitton]] The batteries are accessible by car, foot, bicycle, and bus.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-theneedlesoldbattery/w-theneedlesoldbattery-gettingthere.htm |title=Getting There |publisher=National Trust |access-date=26 October 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070815213548/http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-theneedlesoldbattery/w-theneedlesoldbattery-gettingthere.htm |archive-date=15 August 2007 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-theneedlesoldbattery.htm |title=The Needles Old Battery |publisher=National Trust |access-date=26 October 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071014061526/http://nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-theneedlesoldbattery.htm |archive-date=14 October 2007 }}</ref> Though there is a paved road up to The Old and The New batteries, access is on foot, from a car park.<ref>The car park is located at {{gbmapping|SZ307853}}.</ref> The battery site becomes dangerous in high winds and is closed to the public in winds above force 8.
In the spring and summer, the Southern Vectis bus company sends open-top buses along a route called ''The Needles Breezer''. This route approaches the Battery along the cliff edge, using a road reserved for bus traffic. ''The Needles Breezer'' also has stops in Alum Bay, Totland, Colwell Bay, Fort Victoria, Yarmouth, and Freshwater Bay.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.islandbuses.info/needles.html |title=The Needles Breezer|publisher=Southern Vectis |access-date=26 October 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070526032605/http://www.islandbuses.info/needles.html <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = 26 May 2007}}</ref> ''Breezer'' buses are the only vehicles allowed on the road from Alum Bay, apart from those owned by National Trust staff or, by prior appointment, vehicles transporting disabled visitors. This is because the single track road's position close to the cliff edge is considered dangerous for multiple car use.{{Citation needed|date=October 2007}}
The Isle of Wight Coast Path has its westernmost point at the Coastguard Cottages.
==Geology== [[File:NeedlesOnTaylorsHampshire-1759.jpg|thumb|The Needles from Isaac Taylor's "one inch map" of Hampshire, published in 1759,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.geog.port.ac.uk/webmap/hantscat/html/oneinchf.htm|title= One Inch Maps|website= University of Portsmouth}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|website=University of Portsmouth|url=http://www.port.ac.uk/departments/academic/geography/|title=Geography Department website|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071026102630/http://www.port.ac.uk/departments/academic/geography/|archive-date=26 October 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.geog.port.ac.uk/webmap/hantsmap/hantsmap/taylor4/taylor4.htm|website=University of Portsmouth|title= Taylor's Hampshire 1759, Martin and Jean Norgate}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.port.ac.uk/departments/academic/geography/|title= Geography Department website|date= 2004|url-status= dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071026102630/http://www.port.ac.uk/departments/academic/geography/|archive-date= 26 October 2007}}</ref> showing ''Lot's Wife'', the needle-shaped pillar that collapsed in a storm in 1764]] The Needles' pointed shape is a result of their unusual geology. The strata have been so heavily folded during the Alpine Orogeny that the chalk is near vertical. This chalk outcrop runs through the centre of the Island from Culver Cliff in the east to the Needles in the west, and then continues under the sea to the Isle of Purbeck, forming Ballard Cliff (near Swanage), Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door.<ref name="IMW">{{cite web | url=http://www.soton.ac.uk/~imw/wight.htm | title=Geology of the Isle of Wight – Field Trip Guide | author=Ian West, MSc PhD FGS | year=2005 | work=Geology of the Wessex Coast, Southern England | access-date=30 May 2006}}</ref> At Old Harry Rocks (east of Studland and north of Swanage) these strata lines moving from horizontal to near vertical can be seen from the sea.
The shape of the lost ''Lot's Wife'' stone column, recorded as collapsing in 1764, is subject to some speculation. A drawing of The Needles by Dutch landscape artist Lambert Doomer (1624–1700), made in 1646, depicts a rock formation with much stouter shape than that shown in Isaac Taylor's 1759 "one inch" map of Hampshire.<ref name=tallrock>{{cite web|url=https://www.iwhistory.org.uk/archive/newsoct2.htm|title= The Needles: Tall Rock or Tall Story?|website= Archive of Monthly News Items, As previously featured in the History Centre, Isle of Wight History Centre|date= November 2002}}</ref><ref name=earliest>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120920030125/http://freespace.virgin.net/iw.history/iwscenes/dutch.htm Earliest Known Scenes of the Isle of Wight], Archived version of page from Isle of Wight History Centre</ref> The Doomer etching is contained in Atlas Blaeu-Van der Hem (published ca. 1662), which is in the Austrian National Library in Vienna.<ref>[http://cartography.geog.uu.nl/research/vanderhem.html ''The Atlas Blaeu-van der Hem''] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071102060310/http://cartography.geog.uu.nl/research/vanderhem.html |date=2 November 2007 }}, Peter van der Krogt and Erlend de Groot, HES & De Graaf publishers BV 't Goy-Houten, the Netherlands, 1996–2006</ref> It is not clear from this drawings what transpired and whether Doomer was exercising artistic license. Doomer's painting shows three stacks when there should have been four, prior to the collapse of ''Lot's Wife''.<ref name=tallrock/><ref name=earliest/>
Just off the end of The Needles formation is the Shingles, a shifting shoal of pebbles just beneath the waves. The Shingles is approximately three miles in length. Many ships have been wrecked on the Shingles<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20030421111600/http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/classic/A853599 The Spithead-Solent Shore], Isle of Wight Shipwrecks, BBC h2g2</ref> and three notable vessels on The Needles themselves: HMS ''Assurance'' in the 18th century,<ref name=Pritchard36>{{cite book |title=Dive Wight and Hampshire |last1=Pritchard |first1=Martin |last2=McDonald |first2=Kendall |year=1987 |publisher=Underwater World Publications |isbn=0-946020-15-9 |pages=36–37 }}</ref> HMS ''Pomone'' in the 19th,<ref name=NC26320>''Naval Chronicle'', Vol. 26, pp. 320–321.</ref> and SS ''Varvassi'' in 1947.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.needles.shalfleet.net/varvassi/ |title=Archived copy |website=needles.shalfleet.net |access-date=12 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120502040930/http://www.needles.shalfleet.net/varvassi/ |archive-date=2 May 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
==See also== * Palmerston Forts * Palmerston Forts, Isle of Wight
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{commons category|The Needles, Isle of Wight|The Needles}}
===General information=== {{official website}} * [http://www.theneedlesbattery.org.uk/ Needles Battery tourist website] * [https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/the-needles-old-battery-and-new-battery National Trust on The Needles Old Battery]
===Pictures and video=== *[http://www.needles.shalfleet.net/ Page 1- The Needles], Steve Shafleet, pictures of the Needles, from "Alum Bay and the Needles", [http://www.postcards.shalfleet.net/ Isle of Wight Historic Postcards], 24 June 2007. *[https://web.archive.org/web/20110718180626/http://www.mad-web.org/Pages/Gallery/1881/ Pictures of the Needles Rocket Test Site] *[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbCLWVkQCV8 Video of Microlight flight over the needles]
{{coord|50.6626968|-1.5893269|type:landmark_region:GB|format=dms|display=title}} {{Isle of Wight}} {{Authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Needles, The (Isle of Wight)}} Category:Landforms of the Isle of Wight Category:National Trust properties on the Isle of Wight Category:Stacks of England Category:Space programme of the United Kingdom Category:Headlands of the Isle of Wight Category:Nature Conservation Review sites Category:Marine reserves of England Category:Shipwrecks of the Needles Category:Navigational hazards