Longdown Activity Farm

Upcoming events at Longdown Activity Farm

Community

Cowes Picnic in the Park: Charity pitch booking portal

If your are a registered local charity or community organisation and would like to have a free outside promotional and fundraising pitch at this year’s Cowes “Picnic in the Park” event on Sunday 7th June 2026, then it couldn’t be simpler. Just fill out your details using the booking section below and reserve the space you need…then just arrive on the day in Northwood Park (via the entrance on Ward Avenue) between 9.30am and 10.30am to set up your gazebo in readiness for the event to start at around 12 noon. Google map reference for directions: https://goo.gl/maps/hoseLFrDrgjenZPP8 The event is organised on behalf of the Cowes community by Northwood House Charitable Trust and is generously funded by Cowes Town Council with additional support from the Royal Yacht Squadron and Red Funnel Ferries. Remember visitors will start arriving to enjoy the day from 11am, after which time we can’t have any further vehicle movements in the park, hence the need to be here nice and early. A standard sized gazebo will fit into a 3m x 3m space, but larger pitches up to 6m x 6m are available, but please don’t book larger than you need.

Sun 7 Jun09:00Northwood House & Park

via Northwood House & Park

Community

The 2026 Cowes Picnic in the Park

Save the date! The Cowes community is getting back together again for the enormously popular “Picnic in the Park”, thanks to generous funding from Cowes Town Council and various local organisations. So call your friends, plan you picnic and come on down for a fantastic free afternoon of family fun and entertainment within the grounds of Northwood House here in the heart of Cowes! This will be the eleventh annual Picnic in the Park event and judging by the huge turn out of over 2000 people for last year’s picnic, the event seems to get more popular than ever! So get your picnic baskets ready to go and head on down to Northwood Park to join in the fun from 12pm on Sunday 7th June for some sun (hopefully), fun (always) and great company (guaranteed)! This a community inclusive event with everyone welcome to attend…not just from Cowes but from all over the Island. And if you’re visiting from the mainland, we’d love to have you join us. In fact the more the merrier! There will a programme of live music from 12pm to 5.30pm on the Lawn Stage to enjoy, plus a Family Fun Arena with free kids games and entertainment. The Annual Fun Dog Show will also be back which attracts dozens and dozens of four legged friends and their families along for some canine shenanigans! We also showcase a selection of all of the Islands most deserving charities and good causes who’ll be here in the park raising awareness of what they do and hopefully a few pounds too!

Sun 7 Jun13:00Northwood House & Park

via Northwood House & Park

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Community

Northwood House Community Coffee Morning (July)

Gather some friends and meet for coffee and cake at one of our new monthly community coffee mornings! We will open the house doors from 10am to 12pm on Monday 7th July and will be serving tea, coffee and cake in the Drawing Room, where you can come and have a catch up and a natter with friends for a couple of hours. If the weather is nice, you can relax outside in the sunshine on St Mary’s Lawn too. Tea, Coffee and cakes will be served by our award winning volunteer catering team, with all funds raised going to support our work to look after Northwood Park which benefits the whole Cowes community, thank you. Everyone is welcome, so if you love Northwood House and Park, just drop in and see us! Well behaved dogs will be welcome outside on the St Mary’s Lawn, but not in the Drawing Room (sorry) unless the dog is an assistance dog of course. Access is through the St Marys Lawn gate or Rotunda/St Mary’s main public entrances from 10am: Future community coffee morning dates are confirmed as follows: Monday 7th September Monday 5th October Monday 2nd November Monday 7th December We look forward to welcoming you soon!

Mon 6 Jul11:00Northwood House & Park

via Northwood House & Park

Festivals & EventsLive Music

Musto’s Epic “Cowes Week 200” Opening Party_headlined by Vernon Kay

It’s the 200th Anniversary of Cowes Week and have we got an event to kick off this historic week of celebrations! Party people…are you ready for this?? The Musto Cowes Week 200 Opening Party is locked in and happening on Saturday 1st August…it’s an event that going to have you buzzing, so save the date and get these red-hot tickets booked ASAP! It’s going to be one of the main social gatherings of the week, so DO NOT MISS OUT! Dust of your dancing shoes (yes, sailing folk, your deck shoes will do) and come on down to the Musto Lawn Bar to party the night away with all your friends…we’re celebrating two whole centuries of Cowes Week and Northwood House has been there since year 1 ! This year we’re going extra extra large with a huge celebrity DJ headliner to help get the 200 year anniversary celebrations underway. Radio 2’s mid-morning front man and national TV treasure Vernon Kay will be red-jetting in and aims to have you raving and misbehaving on the lawns as he plays an epic headline set of the best 90’s dance and  party anthems from that incredible era. Vernon is renowned for delivering high-energy sets packed with iconic anthems, current hits, and feel-good party bangers.

Sat 1 Aug19:30Northwood House & Park

via Northwood House & Park

Festivals & EventsFood & Drink

The Epic Lawn Bar Cowes Party Night sponsored by Musto

As Cowes celebrates the 200th anniversary of it’s famous sailing regatta, the Lawn Bar has got an event to kick off the best week of the year on the Isle of Wight! Party people…are you ready for this?? The Epic Lawn Bar Cowes Party Night sponsored by Musto  is locked in and happening on Saturday 1st August…it’s an event that going to have you buzzing, so save the date and get these red-hot tickets booked ASAP! It’s going to be one of the main social gatherings of the week, so DO NOT MISS OUT! Dust of your dancing shoes (yes, sailing folk, your deck shoes will do) and come on down to the Musto Lawn Bar to party the night away with all your friends…we’re celebrating two whole centuries of the towns famous sailing regatta and Northwood House has been there since year 1 ! This year we’re going extra extra large with a huge celebrity DJ headliner to help get the 200 year anniversary celebrations underway. Radio 2’s mid-morning front man and national TV treasure Vernon Kay will be red-jetting in and aims to have you raving and misbehaving on the lawns as he plays an epic headline set of the best 90’s dance and  party anthems from that incredible era. Vernon is renowned for delivering high-energy sets packed with iconic anthems, current hits, and feel-good party bangers.

Sat 1 Aug19:30Northwood House & Park

via Northwood House & Park

Free! (worth double-checking)

Children & Family

The Isle of Wight Radio Super Sunday Family Party (Free entry)

It’s certainly going to be an amazing weekend to start the 200th anniversary of the the town’s world famous sailing regatta here at the Musto Lawn Bar. And after a barnstorming start on Saturday with the amazing Vernon Kay, the terrific vibe continues with our Isle of Wight Radio Super Sunday Family Party with a fantastic free afternoon of entertainment for all the family, so make sure you get here early! Dress up for a disco and come on down to the Lawn Bar! The Sunday afternoon family parties have become legendary at the Lawn Bar over the last few years…the place gets packed with families and groups of friends all coming out for good times together on the lawns with some free entertainment…and this year is no exception! We’re delighted to announce that our great friends at Isle of Wight Radio will be hosting the afternoon this year, with favourite local presenters Paul Topping and Heather McCallum warming you up from 2pm as we get ready for what’s to come. Then headlining our Super Sunday entertainment will be the new and incredible six piece party band Boogie Days, playing all the classic disco hits from the 70’s and 80’s from 3pm. It’s going to be an awesome party vibe, so bring the whole family down for a sing-a-long and a dance on the lawn! Join in the fun by dressing up in your best 70’s disco party gear, with some fun prizes to be won on the afternoon, care of our sponsors Musto.

Sun 2 Aug15:00Northwood House & Park

via Northwood House & Park

Community

Around £12.50

Tequila Tuesday – Vote Pedro

Hey Amigos? Are you ready for a crazy TUESDAY night out with your crew this Regatta Week? If so, we have a party that will be right up your sombrero with TEQUILA TUESDAY The incredible Vote Pedro will be here headlining the evening with their mad mariachi antics on the main stage from 9.30pm….they are always a huge hit and this is their only outing in Cowes’s biggest week! The evening is a ticketed event for over 18’s only (sorry kids!) and includes a free drink on arrival to help get you in the mood…either a bottle of premium beer or shot of tequila or tequila rose. The evening is sponsored by our supporters Casamigos, so be sure to enjoy a Tequila based cocktail1 Perhaps a margarita. Gates open from 7pm, so don’t be late…we have the incredible Island band “The Fellowship of Groove” on stage from 7.45pm to start the party, who’ll be sure to get you up and dancing ahead of those mad Mexicans!! Second Tier Release Tickets for the event are only £12.50 (including the free drink) and exclusively available through our ticketing partner the – Price is Wight. Get in the spirit…wear some themed Mexican fancy dress if you can and join in the fun! This is a fully licenced event with all event bars on the lawn open from 7pm for the duration of the evening. Great food on site will be provided by our catering partners including So Much Dough Wood-fired Pizza.

Tue 4 Aug19:30Northwood House & Park

via Northwood House & Park

DanceFestivals & EventsLive Music

‘Wave2Rave: Euphoric Island’ with Paul Oakenfold and Factor B

We promised you BIG to celebrate Cowes Week 200…and this is just off the scale! Cowes has never seen anything quite on this level as we host a dance music event like no other that has gone before. We bring you ‘Wave2Rave:Euphoric Island’…headlined by the legendary international DJ and producer Paul Oakenfold, stopping off on his 2026 world tour for Cowes Week 200! With over 10 million record sales, Paul is one of the most successful electronic music artists of all time and joining him on the Musto Cowes Week 200 Stage will be a rising global star of the trance music scene Factor B, jetting in from Amsterdam to be with us especially for this incredible party night.  It’s huge…perhaps one of the biggest nights of electronic music the Isle of Wight, let alone Cowes Week has ever seen! Two global DJ superstars…One euphoric night guaranteed D0…Not….Miss…It! It’s the hottest ticket in town this summer if you love euphoric electronic music and you want to rave along to the best of the best. There are few other DJ’s that can boast such a glittering career as Paul Oakenfold…and now he’s agreed to play for us at  Cowes Week 200! He’ll be bringing an anthemic set of classic trance and dance music with some of his iconic remixes and productions, with an energy that few other DJ’s can match. Dance and trance music fans are in for a belter. Hailed widely as the “Godfather of Electronic Music”, Paul is one of the true pioneers of global dance music.

Wed 5 Aug18:30Northwood House & Park

via Northwood House & Park

DanceWorkshops & Classes

Lawn Bar Presents Paul Oakenfold and Factor B- A world-class night of incredible dance music

We promised you BIG to help celebrate the 200th anniversary of the towns world-famous sailing regatta …and this event this is just off the scale! Cowes has never seen anything quite on this level as we host a dance music event like no other that has gone before. We bring you an incredible night of dance music with world-class DJ’s…headlined by the legendary international DJ and producer Paul Oakenfold, stopping off on his 2026 world tour in Cowes to bring us a what promises to be the dance party event of the summer! With over 10 million record sales, Paul is one of the most successful electronic music artists of all time and joining him on the Musto Lawn Bar Stage will be a rising global star of the trance music scene Factor B, jetting in from Amsterdam to be with us especially for this incredible party night. It’s huge…perhaps one of the biggest nights of electronic music the Isle of Wight, let alone Cowes has ever seen! Two global DJ superstars…One euphoric night guaranteed D0…Not….Miss…It! It’s the hottest ticket in town this summer if you love euphoric electronic music and you want to dance and rave along to the best of the best. There are few other DJ’s that can boast such a glittering career as Paul Oakenfold…and now he’s agreed to play for us here at the Lawn Bar! He’ll be bringing an anthemic set of classic trance and dance music with some of his iconic remixes and productions, with an energy that few other DJ’s can match.

Wed 5 Aug18:30Northwood House & Park

via Northwood House & Park

Community

Around £6

Regatta Week Thirsty Thursday with the Arctic Junkies

If you love Indie music from the ‘Noughties’ then this Regatta Week night at the Lawn Bar is for you! We bring you an incredible night of live music on Victoria Malaga’s Thirsty Thursday headlined by the acclaimed Arctic Junkies…the UK’s leading tribute to the legendary Arctic Monkeys. Expect a high spirited performance from this epic five piece who’ll have you up and dancing all evening long. The only question is, will you look good on the dance floor?! The Arctic Junkies will take the stage at 9pm, following another indie-inspired musical treat of classic covers by Pink Lemonade from 7.30pm. Admission is totally free to Thirsty Thursday before 8.30pm thanks to our sponsors, but £6 afterwards, so arrive early and grab a pint or two of Victoria Malaga premium Spanish lager from the bar to get the party started. The Lawn Bar is open all day from 12pm, with the Thursday night party starting from 7.30pm. Great food is available from the Lawn Bar caterers So Much Dough Wood Fired Pizza all day all evening long. This is an outdoor live concert event on the Lawns of Northwood House. The concert will go on what ever the weather, unless extreme conditions prevail. Children under 18 are permitted with a parent or guardian before 8.30pm, but must be supervised at all times.

Thu 6 Aug20:30Northwood House & Park

via Northwood House & Park

Community

The Epic Lawn Bar Presents – Musto’s Friday Night Party

As Cowes celebrates the 200th anniversary of regatta week, the Lawn Bar has got an event to close off the best week of the year on the Isle of Wight! Party people…are you ready for this?? The Epic Lawn Bar Friday Night Party sponsored by Musto  is locked in and happening on Friday 7th August…it’s an event that going to have you buzzing, so save the date and get these Soul-Strutting tickets booked ASAP! It’s going to be one of the main social gatherings of the week, so DO NOT MISS OUT! Dust of your dancing shoes (yes, sailing folk, your deck shoes will do) and come on down to the Musto Lawn Bar to party the night away with all your friends…we’re celebrating two whole centuries of the towns famous sailing regatta and Northwood House has been there since year 1 ! This year we’re going extra extra large with a huge celebrity DJ headliner to help bring the house down on a massive week. Radio 6’s afternoon front man and national TV star past and present whilst fresh from navigating ‘I’m a Celebrity!’ CRAIG CHARLES will be red-jetting in and aims to have you shuffling and shaking your tail feathers on the lawns as he plays an epic headline set of the best Soul and Funk tunes from the golden era of music. Craig is renowned for delivering high-energy sets packed with the grooviest, soul hits, and feel-good music pumping with intent to get your hips moving.

Fri 7 Aug19:30Northwood House & Park

via Northwood House & Park

Community

Lawn Bar Presents – Musto’s ‘Funk on Friday’ Party with Craig Charles

As Cowes celebrates the 200th anniversary of the world’s most famous sailing regatta, the Lawn Bar has got an event to close off the best week of the year on the Isle of Wight! Party people…are you ready for this?? The MUSTO’S ‘FUNK ON FRIDAY’ PARTY  is locked in and happening on Friday 7th August…it’s an event that going to have you buzzing, so save the date and get these Soul-Strutting tickets booked ASAP! It’s going to be another absolutely epic social gathering on the lawns of Northwood House in this party week, so DO NOT MISS OUT! Dust of your dancing shoes (yes, sailing folk, your deck shoes will do) and come on down to the Musto Lawn Bar to party the night away with all your friends…we’re celebrating two whole centuries of the towns famous sailing regatta and Northwood House has been there since year 1 ! This year we’re going extra extra large with a huge celebrity DJ headliner to help bring the house down on a massive week. Radio 6’s afternoon front man and national TV star past and present whilst fresh from navigating ‘I’m a Celebrity!’ CRAIG CHARLES will be red-jetting in and aims to have you shuffling and shaking your tail feathers on the lawns as he plays an epic headline set of the best Soul and Funk tunes from the golden era of music. Craig is renowned for delivering high-energy sets packed with the grooviest, soul hits, and feel-good music pumping with intent to get your hips moving.

Fri 7 Aug19:30Northwood House & Park

via Northwood House & Park

Community

PLASTIC MERMAIDS – Sunset Saturday Cowes 2026

Welcome to the last Sunset of Regatta week 2026!!! Sunset Saturday is the final evening to celebrate the 200 year anniversary of the historic event!! Grab a drink and watch some fantastic live music whilst the sun comes down at the amazing setting of Northwood House. After a 2 year hiatus local favourites PLASTIC MERMAIDS will be sailing onto our stage! AND WE CAN’T WAIT! Here’s what Rough Trade have to say about them! Plastic Mermaids are a UK band hailing from the Isle of Wight. Comprised of talented members Douglas Richards, Jamie Richards, Chris Jones, Chris Newnham, Tom Farren, Fox Rawding and Emma Wilkinson they bring their unique sound to the music scene. With their captivating melodies and thought-provoking lyrics, Plastic Mermaids have gained a loyal following. Their innovative approach to music sets them apart and ensures that each track is an unforgettable experience for listeners. Formed in 2015, Plastic Mermaids quickly made waves with their distinct blend of genres. Drawing inspiration from various musical influences, they create a sound that is both familiar and refreshingly original. From intimate acoustic performances to energetic live shows, this band knows how to captivate audiences and leave them wanting more. With their undeniable talent and dedication to their craft, Plastic Mermaids continue to push boundaries in the music industry. Their passion shines through in every song they create, making them a must-listen for any music lover.

Sat 8 Aug19:30Northwood House & Park

via Northwood House & Park

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