Getting to the Needles...by bus!

Iain C

Iain C

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Off to the Island this weekend, and we thought we might do a bit less yotting and do the touristy thing this time! Having sailed past the Needles many times but never seen it from land we quite fancy a wander round the cliffs.

Getting there from Cowes, it seems that a bus to Newport, and then a bus to Alum Bay looks like the best plan. Anyone done this little trip...is it worth the faff or is a cab easier? Anything else worth seeing out that way, or any decent pubs on the way to have a beer in?

Thanks
 
Hi
We moored in Yarmouth. Bus leaves at 10 am and bought ticket for all stops £10 hop on and off. This tour bus goes around all of west wight plus all the way to the highest point of the needles.
Great day out, do as much or as little walking as you want.
 
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Some time since I've done it but it's a fantastic ride on the open-top bus. I was driven to try it by by Attention All Shiipping (the book, not the forecast itself) and it is well worth it. You have accept that part of the Isle of wight is in a bit of a time-warp in some ways, it's a bit rude pastcards and kiss-me-quick hats,but that's part of the attraction.
 
Pick up a tourist guide on the ferry and buy a rover ticket for the bus - £10 for unlimited travel for 24 hours, get on and off at will. http://www.islandbuses.info/

Forget the taxi - probably best part of £50 for the round trip.

Do the Needles then take the bus along the back of the island to Blackgang or Ventnor and beyond, the open top one if it's a nice day. You can get back to Newport from everywhere.
 
When you're at the Battery (sp?) at the Needles, don't forget to walk to the South side a bit and see where the space rocket engines were tested - quick Google will find the details.. Black somethingorother satellites
 
Been there, done it.
1) It is worth it
2) It is a bit of a long ride, especially if the connection isn't good.
3) buy a day ticket, which is much(!) cheaper than buying 4 bus tickets ( which is what we did. Doh)
4) start early, the last bus leaves Alum bay at 1800h.

We let the last bus go, and decided to walk back. There is a great National Trust walk that starts at the Needles, follows the tops of the cliffs and goes back to inhabited arease where you can take a later bus.

Pubs? No.Sorry. Self catering is the way to go.

Nice day out.
 
If you're really into walking... go from Yarmouth due South to Freshwater (it's mainly along a flat path which used to be a railway so I believe)... quite nice to walk 'coast to coast' - albeit only about 6 miles... hang a right and walk along Tennyson Down to the Needles (tea and cake in the NT Battery overlooking the Needles)... then continue on the coast path back to Yarmouth (or catch the open decker bus - wouldn't bother getting off at Alum Bay IMHO). It's a full day's walk but takes in the best parts of the West of the island.
 
We did it as well, and the walk back to Yarmouth as well which is very pleasant, but the OP was asking about getting there from Cowes, which is a tad further. :) We had a long week on the island that year, going to Bembridge, then round St. Catherine's to Yarmouth and then to the Medina, with 2-3 days in each. Very pleasant if the weather stays nice.
 
brians said:
Even better if you have a bus pass!
Click to expand...

Not any more, the open top bus up to the Needles and the other route along the back of the Island no longer accept over 60's bus passes.

Do recomend walking from the Needles over Tennyson Down to Freshwater and getting the bus to Yarmouth from there or there are nice walks back along either side of the Yar.
 
I live quite neat the needles so don't get on the bus much, but you are missing a treat from a pub standpoint if just do the tour. One of the best country pubs on the island is quite near there.

Take the bus to the needles then walk along the south coast cliffs until you get to Tennyson monument. At the monument head due north. The path goes straight down the hill, past the car park to the Highdown inn. Great food. A proper small country pub. About 30 minutes walk.

After lunch walk back up to the carpark and the follow the path through the trees that follows the north face of the downs back to freshwater bay. About 20 minutes walk.

Pick up the buses again at freshwater bay.
 
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