Southampton Airport 1 hr 46
The Needles Landmark Attraction (9 min)
Family-friendly rides and attractions by sand cliffs with a chairlift to the beach and a lighthouse. Carisbrooke Castle (22 min)
Fine medieval castle and museum, where Charles I was imprisoned by Cromwell's Roundheads. National Trust - The Needles Old Battery & New Battery (7 min)
A coastal fort dating from 1862 with recreated rooms, a tunnel, exhibition and the original guns. Compton Bay (9 min)
Brisk beach backed by sandstone cliffs & grass downs drawing surfers, bathers & fossil-hunters. Colwell Bay (11 min)
Sand-&-shingle swimming cove with beach hut rentals, ice-cream spots, a bistro & Hurst Castle views. Tennyson Down (2 min)
Panoramic views are the highlight at this verdant hillside, which also features a 19th-century fort. The Needles (7 min)
Picturesque set of chalk landforms with a lighthouse, chairlift, boat tours & other amenities. Hengistbury Head Visitor Centre (1 hr 41)
Coastal nature reserve and conservation area with wild flowers and signs of ancient settlement. Fort Victoria (10 min)
Remains of an 1855 fort featuring brick cannon casemates, a rooftop walkway with sea views & a cafe. National Motor Museum, Beaulieu (1 hr 21)
250-plus vehicles and World of Top Gear, plus each ticket gives access to Abbey and Palace House. Tapnell Farm Park (10 min)
Farm-themed amusement park with a petting zoo, plus go-kart rides, sledge slides & play areas. Exbury Gardens & Steam Railway (1 hr 28)
Expansive woodland gardens with abundant rhododendrons and azaleas, plus steam train rides. Highcliffe Castle (1 hr 30)
Gothic revival mansion dating from 1836, with restored exteriors, plus tearoom and gardens. Hurst Castle (4 hr)
At the end of a shingle spit, a fortress with 38-ton guns, a lighthouse exhibition and cafe. Alum Bay (7 min)
Tourist attraction named for its multi-colored sand cliffs & views of the Needles rock formation. | 
