120 metres above sea level on the thrilling, spectacular Needles Breezer!

The Needles Breezer has made it through to the UK Open Top Bus Cup Final 2024, sponsored by employee engagement App providers, Blink! It’s no surprise really as this is a stunning route, but also one with a fascinating charm, winding its way from one of the most blissful small towns, in Yarmouth, through the delightful villages of Norton Grange, Totland and Freshwater on its way to and from the fun-filled leisure attraction at Alum Bay and the spectacular heights of the Needles – which is an 120 feet column of rock which fell into the sea into a storm in 1764! The Lighthouse, meanwhile, was built in the 1850s and is still in operation today!

Sumptuous Solent scenic sights!

It’s literally a breeze to get to as well with a fast and convenient rail link from London, Southampton, Bournemouth, Weymouth, The Midlands and Manchester to Brockenhurst and than slick change to a short journey to Lymington Pier where the ferry awaits over to the Isle of Wight and Yarmouth – the Island Breezer stops a few yards from the ferry terminal! If you are travelling from within the Island, there’s plenty of Southern Vectis buses that will take you to Yarmouth or indeed the Island Coaster which is a scenic sojourn of the southern perimeter of the Isle of Wight against a backdrop of glorious coastal views and connects at Alum Bay with the Needles Breezer.

Gourmet gateway to an incredible journey

Yarmouth is a fabulous starting point for this amazing journey – it’s a wonderful, pretty harbour town resplendent in coffee shops, restaurants and pubs. There’s a lovely long pier looking towards the New Forest, which is popular with fishers and also a very picturesque church and pretty flowers throughout the town. The Harbour is worth a stroll towards with its array of eye-catching boats of all sizes, glinting nicely in the sun on a good day! The town is also renowned for the iconic Yarmouth Castle, built by Henry VIII in 1547.

West Wight Wonders are poetry in motion

The bus starts its adventure and cuts inland, traversing classic green and lush West Wight countryside before arriving in the majestic Freshwater Bay, which has a classic seaside feel about it but dramatically sitting underneath the towering white cliffs of Tennyson Down, which shelters this attractive cove as wave crash in. It is also a gateway to invigorating walks, including to the Tennyson Monument, commemorating the life of Alfred Lord Tennyson who was Poet Laureate and lived nearby. There’s great views as far as Ventnor in the east. It can feel bright and breezy upstairs on the open deck of the bus, but thrilling nonetheless and particularly fun when the sun glistening!

A church like no other!

There’s also a fascinating commentary on the bus, with invigorating information about the landmarks and history of the route – it really is an adventure to be savoured, particularly as the journey gets more enlightening with each stop!

Past St. Agnes thatched church the bus makes it was way – it’s the only thatched church on the Island and looks absolutely fantastic. Then, it’s to Dimbola Museum and Galleries, which is a photographic museum celebrating the pioneering work of photographer Julia Margaret Cameron. Freshwater village approaches, with its charming local shops, pubs and tea rooms.

Sweets and sands galore!

Through the sleepy but ever so friendly village of Totland, goes the Needles Breezer before it winds its way to the thrill, spills and japery of the famous Needles Landmark Attraction at Alum Bay. Here, folk have the opportunity to make a souvenir of the multi-coloured sands from the Bay – it’s a pastime that has entranced generation after generation. There’s also a fabulous glass bowling display, interactive 4D cinema, crazy golf and other fun-packed amusements, as well as The Sweet Manufactory Museum, where you can enjoy learning how sweets are made!

A panoramic ride to paradise

For those looking for a becalming retreat with panoramic views, then there is a magnificent chairlift that will take you down the cliff onto Alum Bay for a bit of calm, sunbathing or if you like, a trip on one of the boat trips out to The Needles! You can, of course, walk down to the seafront, rather than use the chairlift and it’s a pleasant sojourn down the steps.

High up into the underground!

The bus to the Needles is a great choice though and as it meanders its way past old coastguard cottages and climbing up High Down and the spiralling and narrow cliff road as high as 120 metres above sea level as it approaches the Old and New Battery. This is a Victorian fort high on top of the cliff and with spectacular views of the Needles. The underground rooms of the Needles New Battery, where the bus turns round, have an exhibition regaling the part that this site played in the secret static rocket tests between 1956 and 1971. It’s fascinating stuff! There’s also a 1940s themed tea room here for light lunches, cream teas, coffee and cake!

Becalming bliss

Meanwhile, the Needles headland, which is owned by the National Trust, is an extremely pleasant place for a walk or just to sit down and take in the stunning serenity and views across the bay. There’s a 30 minute gap between buses, which is just perfect to sit on a bench and soak up the atmosphere or maybe have a little picnic! On a clear day, you can see from Southampton to Bournemouth!

Off the beaten track beauty

Back on the bus and it’s down the cliff to the Needles Landmark Attraction again and then a bright, breezy and direct journey returning to Yarmouth, but this time past Colwell Bay, which is a very peaceful spot and a short walk to the very attractive beach, with views across the Solent and over to Hurst Castle. There’s some tasty ice cream parlours and the lovely The Hut restaurant by the sea.

Onwards a bit further and Fort Victoria Country Park is on the left, with more wonderful views towards Hurst Castle, at the end of a tree-lined lane from the bus stop. It’s a great place to just sit and watch shipping go by or take a woodland walk. There are attractions in the old fort buildings – a planetarium, cafe and the Underwater Archaeology Centre.

A captivating coastal denouement to a delightful exploration

Then, it’s on the bus over the picturesque estuary and Yarmouth Harbour on the left and for those travelling back to mainland, the looming but grandiouse Wightlink ferry in the background, creating a great sense of occasion as the finale to a bus journey that certainly has had its own monumental feel.

A round trip takes only 1 hour and 20 minutes, but of course we would recommend stopping off at the many places on this incredible journey – and with two services each hour, this makes a great day out so easy to do!  To plan your fab trip on the amazing Needles Breezer, check out  Needles Breezer – Great Scenic Journeys