Lendy Cowes Week onshore

Everyone’s heard of Lendy Cowes Week, whether they’re a sailing buff or not – it’s one of the most successful and longest running sports event in the UK. The eight-day sailing regatta takes place from our beautiful Isle of Wight every August, and brings together sailing enthusiasts, professionals, novices and the curious to celebrate sailing and enjoy the Island.

You don’t have to be a sailor to enjoy Lendy Cowes Week.

The great thing about Cowes Week is that there are plenty of things to do and see ashore, throughout the day, every day. There are some great sites with loads of information for the sailors so this site will focus on how non-sailors can also enjoy the fun.

Radio Cowes

Did you know that Lendy Cowes Week has its very own radio station? Broadcasting from a boat on the water as well as its studio, Cowes Week Radio is essential listening bring its audience commentary, explanations and news as they happen. You can tune into Cowes Week Radio yourself or listen to its broadcasts on the Parade, the Yacht Haven and the green.

Catch the action

Where to watch the sailing One of the best places to watch the starts and finishes is from the pathway in front of the Royal Yacht Squadron. Here, in the early part of the day, you can watch the boats jostling for the best starting positions and every five minutes hear the countdown to the cannons being fired to start races.

Later in the day you can watch the boats cross the finishing line and see the cannons fired for the first three boats of every race. Alternatively, you can sit and picnic on the beach or The Green, a grassy slope to the west of the Royal yacht Squadron, where the commentary from Cowes Week Radio is piped in to let you know what is going on.

Big screen, shops and food

You can also see some of the action with commentary on a huge screen in the Cowes Yacht Haven. This way you can see each race start and Soaking up the atmosphere During Lendy Cowes Week, The Parade is turned over to shops, street food and entertainment. You can browse or buy in the market fashion items and foodstuff, often at discounted prices.

Entertainment

Alternatively, you can sit outside with a drink or eat freshly cooked food from a wide range of street vendors. There is a programme of entertainment and live performances from the bandstand on the Parade'

Cowes Yacht Haven is another venue with live entertainment [link to programme] and street food. It erects a huge drinks marquee and is where competitors relax after the races. Entry is free during the day but you may need a ticket in the evenings. 

Fireworks and the Red Arrows

Fireworks Friday with the Red Arrows The traditional end to Cowes Week is celebrated with a display from the RAF Red Arrows and fireworks launched from a barge moored off the Royal Yacht Squadron. The best views are from the sea and dozens of boats moor just off the shore to enjoy a few drinks and picnic before the display.

If you don’t have your own boat then you could join the Red Funnel Firework Cruise. This year both eventswill take place on Friday 4th August

Red Arrows start - 19.30 Fireworks start - 21.30

Where to watch

• East Cowes: Esplanade and Spring Hill
• Cowes: The beach, Esplanade and the green at Northwood House

More at Northwood House

Northwood House offers a huge and varied programme of events for the whole family throughout Lendy Cowes Week, making it a refreshing alternative to the sailing focus in the Town itself. Northwood House is located in its own splendid parkland gardens on the hill above the town.

Don't miss:

• Tree climbing at Northwood House. Enjoy views from great heights during Lendy Cowes Week. Take to the canopy under expert instruction, using a rope and harness, for a climb you will never forget. You can climb on July 30th and August 4th. Book now.

Other events include 

• The Lawn Lounge
• The Gin Festival
• Nomad pop-up dining
• Club Balearia
• Full list of Northwood House events

Gin in a bottle

The extremely popular Gin Festival will take place throughout Lendy Cowes Week at Northwood House.

The Festival features over 50 unique artisan gins from the UK and rest of the world including new international gins, available for the first time in the UK. The Festival also includes Gin and Jazz nights on Sunday and Wednesday and gin master classes throughout the week. More details

• Useful sites for sailors:
• Official Lendy Cowes Week
• Cowes Harbour Commission  
• Cowes Yacht Haven  
• East Cowes Marina