The Needles Old Battery and New Battery

Date of visit: April 2023

I am a carer or friend of a disabled person. I have experience of challenges around: moving around

Overall Rating

We were delighted to be able to visit this fascinating place and read about its wartime significance and admire the astonishing views. Would definitely recommend. We combined this with a trip to see Mottistone Manor Gardens and a ride along the Military Road admiring the astonishing views (Compton Bay and Freshwater Bay). There are several places you can stop and look - from the car if the weather isnt great - and at least two places along that road had ices cream vans. The one at Compton Bay is National Trust.

Disabled Access In and Around

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Much of the surface is navigable although uneven in places. You can access some of the exhibitions with a wheelchair (level access) and admire the views from a safe vantage point. It makes for a fascinating visit. There is a cafe that does drinks sandwiches (hot and cold) and cakes. The cafe itself is on the top floor but you can access the inside of the ground floor as they have a ramp. There is plenty of space at picnic tables outside but it can be windy here!!

Parking & Transport

If you have a disabled passenger who is unable to access the bus, you can drive right up to the Old Battery but you need to phone ahead to check there is a space and that you arent going to meet the bus coming down as it is a narrow single track road. The phone number is published on a board at the entrance.

Accessible Toilets

There is an accessible loo with some space for a carer (not a lot). There were grab rails.

Staff

The staff were kind and super helpful. I would recommend reading the National Trust access statement carefully before you go to make sure it's right for you. But we managed fine with an able bodied driver/carer with powered wheelchair user.

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