The Needles Batteries were constructed between 1861-95 for coastal defence against the threat of invasion by France.
In the Parade Ground is a spiral staircase leads down to a 65 metre tunnel that ends up at the searchlight position with dramatic views overlooking the Needles.

During the 1960s this area was also used by Saunders Roe for testing the Black Knight and Black Arrow space rocket engines, there is a small free exhibition about the part the site played in the race for space.

Also on the headland is a Rocket Testing Site, used in the 1950s and 60s.