Lots to do for all ages (The Needles Park (Isle of Wight))

Member Name: GizmoPig

Product:	The Needles Park (Isle of Wight)
Date:	08/06/09 (49 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: varied, lots for kids and adults, unusual

Disadvantages: quite far off the beaten track, if it rains can get a bit wearing as everything mainly outside

So, Alum Bay...There are four things that you really need to do when visiting. I would start the day with a trip down to the beach on the chairlift. This way you can see the coloured sands in all their glory in the cliff before visiting the sand shop - I found that it was better to do this first as then you get a feel for why the park is here before you start exploring. The chairlift is great and you get a brilliant view, but be warned, it can be a bit rocky if the wind is blowing.

After coming back up, take a look at the sand shop. Inside you can fill a plastic or glass ornement in the shape of a frog, isle of wight map, bell, lighthouse and more with layers of coloured sand to take home with you. I would recommend the lighthouse for young children - they can't really make any mistakes as it is just a test tube shape, the isle of wight map for school age children and if you want the staff to put a pattern into the sand for you with a piece of wire, the glass bell is a really nice choice for adults. Some of the other shapes can look a little tacky but the basic ones make really nice non-dating mementos of your visit.

After this, take a trip to the Alum Bay glass blowing factory where you can watch glass being blown in the workshop - really interesting and they have some lovely pieces in the gift shop. Once finished here, take in another demonstration in at the Sweet factory. When I was last there they were demonstrating making humbugs and gave the visitors some to try, hot out of the machine! It smells and tastes amazing.

Finally, take an open topped bus ride up to the Needles Old Battery (seperate to the park) where you can see exhibitions of how this building was used during wartime as a lookout post and bunker.

I loved visiting here as a kid and lived just up the road. In addition to the main attractions, there are fairground rides, a good crazy golf course and plenty of parking. You could spend between half and a full day here and then enjoy some lovely walks in the surrounding area of beach and headland

Summary: Great place to visit - most people I talk to have been there at least once!