Alum Bay New Road

Street guide, Isle of Wight

The road leading from Freshwater and Totland to The Needles and Alum Bay, the most-visited scenic attraction on the Isle of Wight. Alum Bay New Road carries the seasonal traffic of visitors heading to see The Needles, the coloured sand cliffs of Alum Bay, and the Needles Landmark Attraction. The road crosses open downland with wide views south across the Channel and north to the Solent. During the peak summer months, the traffic can be heavy and the car parks at the end of the road fill up. Outside the holiday season, the road is quiet and the landscape is at its most atmospheric, with the wind blowing across the chalk ridge and the sea visible in every direction. The road ends at the car park and visitor facilities at the top of Alum Bay, from where a chairlift descends to the beach and footpaths lead to the Old Battery and The Needles viewpoint.