This page will provide information on travelling to the Isle of Wight, accommodation, food and drink, and information for wheelchair users.
Using coach travel to visit the Isle of Wight is one of the most economical and convenient ways of getting here.
National Express runs services from hundreds of locations down to Portsmouth.
If you wish to cross The Solent by catamaran, The Hard Interchange Bus & Coach Station is a mere 1 minute walk to Wightlink’s FastCat passenger terminal at Portsmouth Harbour Station.
For transfer to the Island by hovercraft, National Express will drop you at HoverTravel’s Southsea Terminal, all for one inclusive ticket price.
You can also travel to the Island on foot via the car ferry from Wightlink’s Gunwharf Terminal in Portsmouth to Fishbourne, but you will then have the inconvenience and the expense of onward travel to Ryde.
To reach the Isle of Wight by train, the most convenient way is to catch one of the regular South Western Railway services to Portsmouth Harbour station, and from where you can take Wightlink's catamaran to the Island.
WightLink’s FastCat terminal is located inside the train station, from where you sail across to Ryde Pier in as little as 22 minutes. From Ryde Pier Head you can either walk down the pier to the esplanade - which is lovely to do - or hop on the minibus.
You can also travel to the island on foot via the car ferry from Wightlink’s Gunwharf Terminal in Portsmouth to Fishbourne (11 minutes walk from the stain station), but you will then have the inconvenience and the expense of onward travel to Ryde.
The nearest train station to HoverTravel is Portsmouth Harbour Station, but it’s a 27 minute walk.
Two companies run vehicle ferry services to the Island, Red Funnel and WightLink.
Visitors to the Isle of Wight Steampunk Festival can save 20% with WightLink on foot, car and motorcycle ferry fares, between 19 and 23 September 2024.
Wightlink’s vehicle ferry from their Gunwharf Terminal in Portsmouth to Fishbourne will have you on the Island in under 45 minutes. From there it’s just 14 minutes by car to Ryde.
Wightlink also run a vehicle ferry service from Lymington to Yarmouth, 35 minutes by car to Ryde.
Red Funnel’s vehicle ferry travels from Southampton to East Cowes, and is 18 minutes by car to Ryde.
Once you arrive in Ryde, everything going on at the Festival happens within the town. If you wish to visit other areas, the main bus terminal is on Ryde Esplanade, with routes serving most areas on the Island.
Unfortunately no trains will be operating from Ryde Pier Head to Shanklin, as Island Line (the Island’s train company) is undertaking vital maintenance, so the line is closed from 6th September to 6th October. However, a bus replacement service is being provided instead.
Parking in Ryde has a good choice of pay-and-display car parks, and some on-street parking with daytime restrictions. All of the main town car parks offer convenient parking solutions for those exploring this charming town and the festival.
Ryde and neighbouring towns offer a range of accommodations, from bed & breakfasts to luxury hotels. It's advisable to book in advance. Check the Visit Isle of Wight website, plus online accommodation websites such as AirBnB, Booking.com, Trivago and also TripAdvisor.
We are grateful to the following recommended hotels who are supporting the Isle of Wight Steampunk Festival with a special discount. Some places can include special rates for the ferries (quote ‘steampunk’).
The Dorset Hotel (01983 564327)
The Esplanade Hotel (01983 562549)
Use code word "steam" to get a discount
There is no camping available at the festival.
Parkdean Resorts Nodes Point Holiday Park is 10 minutes drive from Ryde, and they have park lodges available to rent.
The Caravan and Motorhome Club’s Southlands site at Newchurch is only 16 minutes from Ryde by car.
For something unusual Retro Staycations offer glamping stays in their retro Airstream caravans. They also offer pitches for touring caravans and motorhomes.
There is no camping available at the festival.
For determined Steampunkers willing to negotiate costumes and tents, there are camping pitches (bring your own tent) at Parkdean Resorts Nodes Point Holiday Park and also at Retro Staycations.
Many of the buildings in Ryde are old with varying degrees of accessibility for wheelchairs users. There are plenty of restaurants and cafes in town, and many are accessible.
Eastern Gardens, where the outdoor stage and daytime activities take place, is accessible for wheelchair users.
Royal Victoria Arcade has two very wide steps into the ground floor retail space where our vendors and entertainers are located.
FuBar has 2 steps up to the entrance door, and the venue is very happy to assist getting up and down. Once inside, the entertainment is on the ground floor and there is plenty of space to move around. However the toilets are located on the first floor and only accessed via a single flight of stairs. It’s a small Victorian building so there is no lift.
Royal Esplanade Hotel has 6 wide steps up to the entrance. The dining room where the show is being held, and the bar, are on the ground floor. There is one step up/down to the dining room itself. A disabled toilet is located on the first floor, accessed by lift from reception, but no further steps.
The Balcony is located above The Pavilion, Ryde’s Super Bowl and LaserQuest building. The only access is via a long flight of steps outside the building. There is no lift.
The Star Coffee and Ale House has easy wheelchair access as there are no steps to the entrance. Once inside, the bar and seating area are on one level. It is a small building, and has no room for dedicated disabled toilets. There are no steps to the ladies, but the gents has 4 steps.
The town of Ryde is a culinary haven with a diverse array of food and drink venues to tantalise your taste buds. From charming cafes serving artisanal coffees to seaside restaurants offering freshly caught seafood, there's a food adventure awaiting every visitor.
Unwind in one of the many friendly cosy pubs with a pint of ale and a pub meal. Ryde town's food and drink scene promises a delightful fusion of flavours where every bite tells a story and every sip is a toast to the vibrant spirit of this charming seaside town.
On Saturday during the day, there will be food and drink vendors located in the Eastern Gardens festival area.
The focus point of the festival during the daytime on Saturday, is in Eastern Gardens on the esplanade.
The Isle of Wight Steampunk Festival in Ryde will take on a transformative aura with its inaugural edition in 2024, inviting specialised steampunk vendors to showcase their eclectic wares.
Stepping into the festival site in the Victorian Eastern Garden along the sea front, attendees will be greeted by a myriad of vendors, each offering a unique slice of the steampunk universe. From intricate clockwork gadgets to elaborate corsets and top hats adorned with gears and goggles.
For those seeking to immerse themselves fully in the steampunk experience, there will be vendors offering bespoke costumes and accessories. From tailored waistcoats and bustle skirts to leather holsters and utility belts, attendees can curate their steampunk persona with the help of these talented artisans.
The Isle of Wight Steampunk Festival has truly set the stage for a celebration of creativity, craftsmanship, and imagination.
We welcome vendors to apply to reserve a space on our festival site and enjoy the excitement of the inaugural Isle of Wight Steampunk Festival.
Please use the contact form and select the "Vendor" option.
