Making the most of Cowes Isle of Wight
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Getting around
Use Traveline for both local and long-distance transport requirements.
Beyond London, ordinary cars and minibuses can generally be licensed as taxis. Local councils decide how they are distinguished, but they always display extra plates, normally at the rear, showing approval by the relevant authority and their passenger capacity.
Food and shopping
The narrow pedestrianised High Street makes for enjoyable shopping, with excellent stores, many serving the yachting fraternity. There are also fashionable clothes and gift shops, delicatessens, cafés, restaurants and lively pubs.
Money
The pound (£) is used throughout the UK, and pounds are also called quid. Scottish bank notes are frowned upon elsewhere in the UK, so exchange them before leaving Scotland.
Widely available cash machines (ATMs), informally called 'holes in the wall', usually dispense £10 and £20 notes.
Most shops and restaurants accept Visa, Mastercard and Maestro.
Staying connected
English is spoken nationwide, sometimes with strong accents.
Most cafés and restaurants provide free WiFi.
For free WiFi, download FastConnect, which connects users to thousands of The Cloud WiFi hotspots around the UK in places including restaurants, cafés, bars, train stations and shopping centers. The local emergency number is 999; the EU-wide 112 also works.
Opening Hours and
General shopping hours:
Small shops open 6 or 7 days weekly (10am - 6pm); larger stores generally remain open until 9PM, while Hypermarts are often 24/7.