Ventnor, Isle of Wight “With a sheltered location on the Undercliff, balmy Ventnor was the choice of …. literary figures such as Dickens, Turgenev and Thackeray. Striking hillside architecture, palm trees, a botanic garden and wooded Bonchurch are key attractions. The economic flat-lining of recent decades appears to have ended: there is now a thriving seafood scene and an annual jazz festival. “ Jeremy Seal, The Telegraph 4 July 2008The Isle of Wight Jazz Festival takes place in various venues around Ventnor, the self proclaimed Capital of Jazz in the Deep South. Choose to Stroll around town between the Stroller venues on a Day Pass or Weekend Stroller ticket, or buy specific event tickets for the main night shows at the Winter Gardens, or simply “do” the Isle of Wight Jazz Festival on a Gold special package or its Purple alternative (see ticket page for what each package contains). Whichever way you do it, the Isle of Wight Jazz Festival offers a boutique experience of Ventnor, packaged up in a bundle of all types of jazz for one wonderful weekend every April.
FERRY:
We recommend the Southampton-East Cowes route via Red Funnel Ferries. Alternatives for foot passengers are to catch the Southampton-West Cowes Redjet service. If you are coming to the Isle of Wight Jazz Festival from the mainland and you need a ferry, do book early as the ferries will be busy the weekend of the jazz festival, due to Easter holiday traffic coming on and going off the Island, in addition to the jazz festival. Why not travel earlier in the week and do some Island siteseeing before the jazz festival starts in Ventnor at midday Friday 17 April 2009?
ROAD:
From East Cowes Red Funnel car ferry terminal, follow signs to Newport then on to Ventnor by turning right at Blackwater.
From Fishbourne near Ryde, the main tourist route to travel is the A3055 through Sandown and Shanklin to Ventnor.
For travel from Yarmouth, follow signs to Newport then on to Ventnor by turning right at Blackwater. OR take the tourist route via Freshwater and along the “Military Road” on to Niton, St Lawrence and Ventnor.
BUS:
Southern Vectis buses connect the Island. The number 3 directly serves Ventnor for the most hours a day and the number 6 provides an alternative route at various times. The Island’s main bus terminal is in Newport, from where all Island buses are linked. From East Cowes, catch the Newport bus and change to the number 3 or 6 to get to Ventnor. From Ryde bus station, take the number 3 to Ventnor.
RAIL:
Shanklin station is the nearest train station and this is connected to Ventnor either by the Wightbus service or by taxi or the number 3 bus.
FURTHER INFORMATION:
Contact Isle of Wight Tourism on website www.islandbreaks.co.uk or the Isle of Wight Council on website www.iwight.gov.uk
VENUES:
Ventnor Winter Gardens sits on the Eastern Esplanade cliff top at the top of Ventnor’s picturesque Cascades and has one of the most amazing headland views in England to enjoy with the music. This is the central hub of the IOW Jazz Festival for Fri/Sat/Sun Headline concerts, dance & club nights, daytime main stroller programme stage, food & drink and sponsors promotions.
Other venues around Ventnor include all or a selection of the following:
Jazz Village – a tented “village” housing the Free Jazz Fringe, refreshments til late, a second main Stroller Stage and an acoustic jazz area as well as display and sales areas for our festival partners.
Boathouse at the Spyglass Inn
Mill Bay Inn (to be confirmed for 2009 as this is now under new ownership)
St Catherine’s Church
Tilly’s Cafe & bistro – for sunday afternoon open mic session in 2009
East Dene - to be confirmed for 2009
Ventnor Towers Hotel – to be confirmed for 2009
Royal Hotel (resident jazz weekend packages - to be confirmed for 2009)
Shops and Cafés of Pier Street and High Street host street or off-street strolling entertainment.