No trace of the pier now remains but for many years Alum Bay had a pier 370 feet long, there were regular visits by paddle steamers from Yarmouth. It was badly damaged by a storm in 1927.

Older people will remember the beach as a popular seaside resort, it was then possible to climb the cliffs and collect the coloured sands. Storms have washed most of the beach away.

The cliff top has now been taken over by a large commercial enterprise, 'Needles Pleasure Park', some might say quite an eyesore amongst such beautiful scenery.

Above Alum Bay is the Needles Old Battery (National Trust) and probably some of the finest views in the country. There is a lovely walk from the Needles Old Battery to Freshwater along the Tennyson Downs.