Isle of Wight Walking Festival - 5th to 20th May 2012
Walking is one of the best ways to admire the Isle of Wight's stunning scenery, and one of the best times to visit is during May for the UK's biggest walking festival.
Featuring over 300 walks to suit those new to walking and seasoned ramblers. All you have to do is select a walk from the programme and turn up, lightly laden at the right place.
Experienced guides have worked out the routes and will gladly pass on information about local history, wildlife and culture. And with over 500 miles of footpaths and bridleways including four coastal trails and eight long-distance walks, there's always a good reason to return.
The 14th Annual Isle of Wight Walking Festival will take place from the 5 - 20th May 2012 so sign up to the Newsletter feature and keep up to date with all the latest news.
Website: www.isleofwightwalkingfestival.co.uk
Walk the Wight - Sunday 13th May 2012
Get fit and get walking for charity. Join one of the popular 'Walk the Wight', a long distance sponsored walk which takes place during the UK's largest Walking Festival.
- Walk the Wight celebrated its 21st year on Sunday 15th May 2011 with nearly 11,000 walkers covering up to 26.5 miles to raise money for patient care at the Island’s Earl Mountbatten Hospice.
Walk the Wight is the biggest fundraising event in the Hospice’s always packed calendar and has raised over £2.5 million as it has grown over the years.
- In 2010 nearly 12,000 people registered for the three walks and raised over £340,000 for patient care, with more money still coming in every day.
- In 2009 a record number, between 9,000 and 9,500 people, supported by another 1500 friends and family, walked for the Hospice despite atrocious weather conditions and raised an amazing £387,000.
- We are very grateful to all of you and to everyone who helped marshal and provide the support on the day.
- Walkers can pay sponsorship money (with their paying-in slip and sponsor form) by sending a cheque (made payable to EMH) to the Hospice or pay it into any HSBC bank on the Island or the Hospice shops in Newport
This Walk is predominantly along walking trails across including the Bembridge and Tennyson Trails
You have a choice of three distances:
- 26.5 miles – Bembridge to Needles Park (8-12 hours)
- 12.5 miles – Bembridge to Carisbrooke (4-6 hours)
- 14 miles – Carisbrooke to Needles Park (5-8 hours)
The Walk is marshalled and signed throughout and covered by St.John’s Ambulance teams. There are 6 toilet stops and 8 water points along the whole route.
All money raised goes into the Earl Mountbatten Hospice Appeal towards financing the redevelopment of the Island's only hospice.
The walk is organised by the Hospice, supported by a small committee and walkers are, therefore, asked to obtain sponsorship or make a donation.
Advance registration is free but compulsory.
REGISTRATION FOR 2012 IS NOW OPEN - Click Here
Website: www.walkthewight.org.uk
Round the Island Yacht Race - 30th June 2012
Round the Island Race © Martin Williams
www.island-photography.co.uk
The annual J.P. Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race
Saturday June 30th
2012
The World's largest single yacht race is held annually, with boats of all shapes and sizes competing on handicap in this anti-clockwise race around the Isle of Wight.
In recent years, there have been over 1,700 boats and over 16,000 sailors.
The race around the Island's 60 miles of coastline offers many opportunities for spectators to view the yachts close at hand, especially around the Needles and the south coast. Website: www.roundtheisland.org.uk
Yarmouth Old Gaffers Festival - 25th to 27th May 2012
The Yarmouth Old Gaffers Festival will feature three days of free entertainment, spectacle and classic boats. Yarmouth is a favourite stop for yachts making their way east or west along the popular waters of the Solent.
You don't have to be (or to own) an “old gaffer” to join in. This popular location has a splendid Tudor castle, charming cottages, well-stocked chandlery, unique shops, fine pubs and good eating-houses.
The harbour will be filled with gaff-rigged vessels and the town square and quayside busy with craft stalls and a farmers' market. Free entertainment and ample parking is provided for this splendid weekend of festivities.
Make a date in your diaries for this now well-established, annual event. Website: www.yarmoutholdgaffersfestival.co.uk
Isle of Wight Festival - 22nd to 24th June 2012
The multi-award winning Isle of Wight Festival is back with a bang for 2012, occupying the vacant Glastonbury dates of 22-24 June 2012 for one year only.
Red Funnel is an Official ticket agent for the IoW Festival with festival tickets.
Options include ferry travel, festival bus and river shuttle tickets and accommodation options if camping is not for you!
We hope you have a fantastic time at the Isle of Wight Festival 2012.
Website: www.isleofwightfestival.com
Redfunnel offer competitive ferry inclusive packages for the Festival. For more details or to book online, see: www.redfunnel.co.uk/iowfestival
Cowes Week - 11th August to 18th August 2012
Since 1826 Cowes Week has played a key part in the British sporting summer calendar and is one of the UK’s longest running and most successful sporting events.
It now stages up to 40 daily races for over 1,000 boats and is the largest sailing regatta of its kind in the world.
Cowes Week is a fusion of many exciting elements, with
its great mix of competitive sailing and social activities.
The 8,500
competitors range from Olympic and world class professionals to weekend sailors.
In 2011 we were delighted to welcome Aberdeen Asset Management onboard as title sponsor of Cowes Week. We very much look forward to entering the next phase of the regatta and continuing the development of the event as Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week.
In excess of 100,000 spectators come to watch the sailing, enjoy the parties and live entertainment, and to experience the unique atmosphere. It is genuinely a one-of-a-kind event – come and see for yourself!
Website: www.cowesweek.co.uk
Isle of Wight Cycling Festival - 22nd - 30th September 2012
A series of cycling events encompassing all aspects of sporting and recreational cycling. The Isle of Wight Cycling Festival serves both as a celebration of the sport and to reinforce the Island's position as a leading cycling destination.
The event offers a range of on and off road cycling challenges for all ages and abilities as well as a varied programme of entertainment for spectators.
Website: www.sunseaandcycling.com
Carnival Island
Carnival © IW Tourist Board
Nowhere is the Island's friendly community spirit more evident than in its town carnivals that take place throughout the season. This season comprises approximately 17 Carnivals, 6 of which are illuminated, plus lantern processions throughout the year including the biggest, which takes place annually in Ryde on the last Sunday in November. The season kicks off with a spectacular a Mardi-Gras style ‘East and West Cowes Shrovetide Carnival' in February and runs right through to a Christmas Carnival in Newport in December. Ryde Arts Festival celebrates all aspects of the arts from street theatre to stand-up comedy. The event is also an opportunity for award-winning artists to express themselves in the Island's natural surroundings from Art on the Esplanade and Sand Sculpture to Poetry on the Pier. Website: www.rydedevelopmenttrust.org |
