The Isle of Wight is all at sea in June – literally, with its incredible Festival of the Sea from 16 to 23 June. This video, featuring Olympic Gold Medalist Ben Ainslie, reveals all:
We asked Sue Emmerson, of Visit Isle of Wight, to tell us more. “There are around 70 events taking place during Festival of the Sea including seafood tastings at Island restaurants, arts and crafts, marine conservation activities, guided lighthouse tours, time-travelling Literatours and lots of live music at waterside pubs and restaurants.”
Sue’s Festival of the Sea highlights are:
Round the Island racing
The headline event is the famous Round the Island Race on 21 June, when more than 1,700 yachts from around the world compete to complete the 50 miles course.
The Race Village in Cowes Yacht Haven, (21-22 June) features the Red Funnel Cowes Food Festival and Cookery Theatre, which will be serving up delicious seafood dishes. There will also be a range of trade, food and craft stalls as well as lots of evening entertainment and live musicians.
Literature tours & performances
Shakespeare’s ‘Much Ado about Nothing‘ gets an outdoor airing by Quay Arts at Osborne House, Queen Victoria’s palace by the sea, from 18-21 June.
Literatour is a time travelling tour around the Island featuring the voices of Celia Imrie, Hugh Bonnevile and Richard E Grant. Sunday 22nd May, departing Cowes Parade at 10am.
Animals and adventure
Zoo by the Sea is a maritime-themed weekend tailor made for all generations. Celebrating the 70th anniversary of D-Day and highlighting the allies daring plan to build a pipeline under the ocean, brought to life by a photographic exhibition, films and talks by local historians.
Sea Safaris celebrates the celebrities of the seabed with a coastal cruise past secluded bays and coves to the old harbour, pulling lobster pots and seabed nets, followed by a fast cruise back to Ventnor (17-18 June).
