To celebrate the launch of Prospero, the first British satellite launched after rocket testing on Highdown and the New Battery, 50 years ago on 28 October 1971, The Needles Old and New Battery is to have a ‘Rocket Week’. There’s children’s craft and drawing activities all week and on the anniversary, the 28 October, a tour by one of the original engineers who worked on the project of the rocket testing control room at the New Battery and the nearby Highdown Test Site.  Have a go at re-creating toy models of the BLACK ARROW rocket which was built on the Isle of Wight and launched Prospero into space.

Free activity (standard admission applies, National Trust Members free).

For more information on the Needles Battery visit the page here. 

Image (c) National Trust.