The Marconi Monument

About

Situated within Needles Park is the world famous Marconi Monument, which marks the precise location where Guglielmo Marconi undertook his pioneering work at the end of the 19th Century, which led to radio and all telecommunications as we know it today.

In early December 1897, to investigate and experiment with transmission to ships at sea, Guglielmo Marconi set up his revolutionary wireless equipment in the Royal Needles Hotel, above Alum Bay, and sent the very first wireless transmission.

A huge 168 feet high mast was set up outside the hotel and over the next couple of years Marconi conducted ever more complex experiments with wireless transmissions. In 1898 messages were received from Marconi at Queen Victoria's Osborne House and on the royal yacht.

Little now remains of Marconi's experimental stations, as the hotel and masts have long since gone. However, a monument to him stands on the cliff top within Needles Park and information lecterns provide a detailed history of radio, Marconi and the role played by Alum Bay.

MARCONI'S LICENSED TEA ROOMS:
With a warm welcome awaiting you in the newly refurbished and fully licenced tea rooms, named after the great man himself, take time out from your adventures at The Needles Park to enjoy a refreshing cup of tea or speciality coffee, a range of sinful cakes and pastries and an extensive selection of soft drinks, cold beers and alcoholic beverages.

THE NEEDLES PARK:
The Needles Park has a range of attractions that includes the spectacular chairlift ride to the beach and the sand cliffs. At the sand shop visitors can make there own unique coloured sand souvenir. There is a variety of children’s attractions including a traditional Victorian carousel, Spins and Needles Tea Cup ride and not to mention the Games Kiosk which includes tin can alley and hook a duck. You even win a prize every time!

The Needles Park has great shops including The Pier Head Shopping Emporium where you can find an interesting range of souvenirs to suit all budgets and tastes.

The Park has full catering facilities including a fully licensed tearoom and kiosks serving fresh coffee, ice cream and more.

DRIVE LESS SEE MORE EXPERIENCES:
Catch the ever popular Needles Breezer open topped bus from Yarmouth out to the famous Needles. A theme park ride in itself the bus drops you right at the Needles Park door or on the National Trust battery on top of the downs.

* Bus - Needles Breezer. More Info - http://islandbreezers.islandbuses.info/needles-breezer/