Once a year a flurry of activity descends on Cowes on the Isle of Wight, for the Cowes Week regatta. In 2009  the event takes place between 1 and 8 August. The oldest and largest sailing regatta of its kind, Cowes Week has been running since 1826. With over 1,000 boats and well over 100,000 spectators, it promises to be a busy week, both off shore and back on dry land.

You don’t have to be a dedicated sailor to enjoy the week, there’s plenty of onshore activity during both the day and night. During the day you can explore Cowes and the surrounding area, taking in street entertainment and live music, whilst at night there are a variety of formal events, and many more informal get togethers! More information is on the Cowes Week website.

Travelling across to the Isle of Wight is straightforward, although advance booking is recommended if you are travelling by car. A Red Funnel ferry operates from Southampton to Cowes, the fastest services taking under 25 minutes for the crossing. This service caters for both cars on a car ferry to East Cowes, and a fast catamaran for foot passengers to West Cowes. For vehicles use Southampton Terminal 1, foot passengers depart from Terminal 2. There is also a FREE City-Link bus services that operates in Southampton between the terminals, city centre and Southampton Central railway station (platform 4 exit).

A Blue Funnel ferry is operating a passenger service on the Lymington to Cowes route, departing from Lymington Town Harbour Masters Jetty and docking at Trinity Landing on Cowes Parade. This service operates each way three times a day – departing Lymington at 07:00, 09:15 and 19:15, a return service operates at 08:00, 18:00 and 20:30. It’s always worthwhile rechecking these times before you travel.

Wightlink Isle of Wight Ferries also has a fast service between Portsmouth to Ryde, however this is a passenger only service. Wightlink also has a frequent service to Lymington from Yarmouth, which caters for both passengers and cars.  There are three ferries operating on this route, and has frequent sailings leaving Lymington from 03:45 until 23:59, and from Yarmouth from 04:30 to 00:35 the next day. It’s always advisable to recheck these times before setting out.

If you are travelling down to the area and need your own hire car, easyCar has car hire pick up locations in Bournemouth, Portsmouth and in Southampton. If you need a larger vehicle,  easyVan, has van hire pick up locations in Southampton.