How to get to our exhibition in Cowes
The Exhibition is housed within the historic Commodores House, located in the centre of (West) Cowes on the Isle of Wight, and is easily accessible by ferry services from the mainland.
Address: Commodores House, 74 High Street, Cowes, Isle of Wight PO31 7AJ
What 3 words: vessel.drumbeat.waddled
WALKING (ON THE ISLE OF WIGHT)
From the Red Jet terminal in Cowes
• Commodores House is just a short 4-minute walk along the High Street. Walk straight out of the terminal and when you get to the High Street turn right. The entrance is on the right between the grey-fronted Cowes Gallery and green-fronted Rosalie’s shop.
From the Red Funnel terminal in East Cowes
• Follow signs to the Floating Bridge (chain ferry), the crossing over the River Medina will take approximately 5 minutes and costs £1.50 return. The walk to Commodores House will take approximately 10-15 minutes. Disembark the ferry and walk straight ahead, which is Medina Road. At the bend take a right onto Birmingham Road, then straight ahead onto Shooters Hill Road, which merges into the High Street. Walk down the High Street, the entrance is on the right between the grey-fronted Cowes Gallery and green-fronted Rosalie’s shop.
From The Parade in Cowes
• Walk up Watch House Lane, past The Union Pub, and take a left at the top. The entrance is on the left between the Rosalie’s and Cowes Gallery shop.
BY BUS (ON THE ISLE OF WIGHT)
There is one bus company on the Isle of Wight called Southern Vectis. Buses are the main form of public transport on the Isle of Wight. There are regular buses from Newport which stop in the centre of Cowes (outside Marks & Spencer). It is a five-minute walk to Commodores House along the High Street. Click here for bus information.
FERRY OPTIONS TO THE ISLE OF WIGHT
To Cowes (West Cowes) – this is the best option if travelling on foot
• Red Jet Hi-Speed Ferry (passenger ferry) runs between Southampton and West Cowes. The crossing takes 30 minutes and costs £24.10 for an Adult Off-Peak Day Return and £12.10 for a Child Off-Peak Day Return. To see the Red Funnel website who operate the Red Jet, click here.
To East Cowes
• Red Funnel (vehicle ferry) runs between Southampton and East Cowes. The crossing takes one hour and costs from £65 return for a standard car and £25 for an adult foot passenger. Please note it is a 45-minute drive to West Cowes (via Newport) from the ferry terminal in East Cowes, and a 40-minute walk for foot passengers, which includes a trip over the River Medina via a floating bridge (chain ferry) costing £1.50 return. For more information on the Red Funnel, access their website here.
To Fishbourne or Yarmouth
• Wightlink (vehicle ferry) runs between Portsmouth and Fishbourne and between Lymington and Yarmouth. The crossings take 40 minutes and will cost from £70 return for a standard car and £28.80 for an adult foot passenger. Please note, it is around a 45-minute drive to West Cowes from Fishbourne and Yarmouth. For information on Wightlink, click here.
To Ryde
• Hovertravel Hovercraft (passengers only) and Wightlink Catamaran Ferry (passengers only) run between Portsmouth and Ryde. There is a bus service to Cowes via Newport, which will take approximately 75 minutes or a 45 minute taxi ride.
Click here for Hovertravel information.
Click here for Wightlink Catamaran Ferry information.
BY CAR / CAR PARKS
When travelling by car follow the signs to Cowes Town Centre. Traffic can be busy, particularly during the Summer months and parking spaces are limited during peak periods, so visitors are advised to allow extra time.
Accessibility Parking
Blue Badge holders can park at designated bays at Cross Street Car Park (up to 3 hours for free) and at Brunswick Road (up to 8 hours). For drop-offs, there is a Loading Bay at the bottom of Market Hill.
The following Cowes public car parks are located within easy reach of Commodores House:
• Park Road Car Park PO31 7AN - large, long-stay car park, situated adjacent to Northwood Park and approximately a 5-minute walk to Commodores House through Cowes Old Town. Parking costs are from £3.50 for 2 hours, pay via machines situated in the car park.
• Northwood House Car Park PO31 8AZ – an event car park, open between 2 and 9 August. Field car park off Ward Avenue and approximately a 5-minute walk to Commodores House across the Park. Parking costs £8.00 from 8.30am or £5.00 after 2pm for the remainder of the day. These day passes can only be purchased upon entry to the event car park. For enquiries and pre-payment please call the Northwood House office on 01983 293642.
• Cross Street Car Park PO31 7TA – small, short stay car park in the centre of the town and approximately 5-minute walk to Commodores House along the High Street.
• Brunswick Road Car Park PO31 7DF – long-stay car park with 42 spaces and approximately a 10 to 15-minute walk to Commodores House. Charges apply from 8am to 6pm.
• The Parade Car Park PO31 7QJ - closest to the Exhibition. Please note it will be closed between 28 July and 14 August for the Cowes Week Regatta Village.
