When we arrived early for our ferry last year we were sent away and the guy in the book in booth did suggest a place to park nearby but I can't remember exactly where! You could given them a ring and see if they can suggest anywhere. Alternatively you could try Sutton Scotney Services on the A34 or the services on the M27. The latter is quite convenient for anyone using Red Funnel. Usually you have to pay for overnight parking if your stay exceeds 2 hours.
Loads of places to park up overnight and wait for the ferry on the link road alongside the Millbrook Road between Dockgate 20 roundabout and the Millbrook lights.
Failing that there is a Tesco witha car park in Shirley :-)
Hi Barbara. Does Red Funnel do the cheaper overnight crossings? We've always sailed from Portsmouth using Wightlink & taken advantage of their half price overnight crossings, then we park up on the Culver Downs on the IoW until it's time to book on our campsite. It's lovely & peaceful up there, and the views are spectacular, you can see for miles
I know you don't really want a site but there is a small site near Paultons Park, Ower, not far off the motorway and about 20 minutes to half hour, depending on traffic from Red Funnel terminal.