The Isle of Wight Council has confirmed a number of changes to its service during next weeks’ Isle of Wight Festival, which gets underway on Thursday (19th June).
Due to the location of the festival, at Newport’s Seaclose Park, a number of council services are affected.
Changes include:
Seaclose Office, Newport
Seaclose Office, Newport will be closed from 12:00 on Thursday 19th June – partially reopening to the public from 08:30 on Monday 23rd June (depending on the service required) and fully open to the public from 08:30 on Tuesday 24th June.
Anyone attending this office between Monday 16th June and Thursday 19th June is only advised to do if strictly necessary. Parking during this period only will be at the entrance to Seaclose Park on the grassed area.
Registry Office
The Isle of Wight Council’s Register Office Marriage Room will temporarily move to County Hall in Newport during the festival. From Friday 20th June until close of business on Saturday 21st June, all civil ceremonies will be held at County Hall, High Street, Newport. The civil ceremonies will be back at Seaclose Park from Monday 23rd June.
The Registers Seaclose offices will be closed for face to face appointments from 12:00 on Thursday 19th June, and all day Friday 20th June and Saturday 21st June.
All birth, death, marriage notices and further information telephone enquiries will continue to be handled via the existing number, 01983 823233.
Coroner’s Office
The Coroner’s Office will be closed to face to face appointments, from Thursday 19th June and will reopen on Tuesday 24th June. There will be no site access to the office during this period. Telephone enquiries will continue to be handled via the existing number 01983 823010 during this period.
Planning
The council’s Planning Services (including Building Control) office will be closed to the public from 12:00 Thursday 19th June, Friday 20th June, and Monday 23rd June.
In the days leading up to and after the festival there will be public access, but parking will be extremely limited, so customers are advised it may be better to avoid the Seaclose office, unless it is to attend a pre-arranged meeting.
The office will be open as normal to the public from 08:30 on Tuesday 24th June. The Wednesday walk-in session, to see the duty Planning Officer, will not be held on Wednesday 18th June but will be available again between 14:00-17:00 from Wednesday 25th June.
Customers can check information and use the online services available on the council website at: Environment and planning (iow.gov.uk).
Leisure centre/theatre
Customers are advised that 1Leisure Medina will be closed for the duration of the Isle of Wight Festival from 14:00 on Thursday 19th June and will re-open at 06:00 on Monday 23rd June.
Swimming lessons at Medina are cancelled from Wednesday 18th June to Saturday 21st June. The lessons will resume on Monday 23rd June. For further information, please email [email protected] or telephone 01983 823880.
Westridge at Ryde and The Heights, Sandown will be open as normal throughout this period.
Newport Cemetery
There will be no public access to Newport Cemetery via the Fairlee Road gates. All public access to the cemetery is via the steps on The Quay and this will continue during the festival period.
There will be limited parking for blue badge holders only.
The cemetery will be fenced off, and visitors are asked to listen and cooperate with security, ensuring the area is kept safe and restrict access to genuine visitors only.
Floating Bridge festival timetable
The Cowes Floating Bridge will be operating an extended timetable during the weekend of the Isle of Wight Festival. For details of the revised operating hours, see below. Any current updates can be found at the Floating Bridge website Isle Of Wight (iwfloatingbridge.co.uk).
From Cowes
Friday (20th June 2025)
First Ferry: 05:00 – Last Ferry: 01:20
Saturday (21st June 2025)
First Ferry: 05:00 – Last Ferry: 01:20
Sunday (22nd June 2025)
First Ferry: 06:30 – Last Ferry: 01:20
Monday (23rd June 2025)
First Ferry: 05:00 – Last Ferry: 00:20
From East Cowes
Friday (20th June 2025)
First Ferry: 05:10 – Last Ferry: 01:10
Saturday (21st June 2025)
First Ferry: 05:10 – Last Ferry: 01:10
Sunday (22nd June 2025)
First Ferry: 06:40 – Last Ferry: 01:10
Monday (23rd June 2025)
First Ferry: 05:10 – Last Ferry: 00:10
Festival Complaints Contact
If you have any concerns relating to noise or licensing issues during the Isle of Wight Festival, you can contact the Isle of Wight Council on 01983 823426. This is a 24-hour number.
