Cowes

Cowes waterfront © IW Tourism

Cowes and East Cowes are two attractive bustling towns separated by the River Medina, and linked by an old-fashioned chain ferry. From a huddle of fisherman's shacks, Cowes and East Cowes grew into villages around West Cowe and East Cowe, two coastal forts built by Henry VIII at the mouth of the Medina.

For boating enthusiasts, Cowes is a Mecca for yachting and boating of all kinds, playing host to many national and international events, including Cowes Week at the beginning of August and the International Offshore Powerboat race, held at the end of August.

Along the narrow high street there are some excellent shops, many catering for the yachting community. There is also an array of fashionable clothing shops, gift stores, delicatessens, cafes, restaurants and lively pubs. The ferry terminal for the high-speed passenger catamaran service to Southampton is at Fountain Arcade.

At Cowes Maritime Museum there are displays of elegant model ships, shipwright's tools, logbooks, prints and paintings. A model railway featuring spectacular layouts is located on the Parade. West Cowes coastal fort is now the home of the Royal Yacht Squadron and the 22 brass canons used as start and finishing guns for yacht races can be seen along the sea wall.

To the west is Princes Green with its Victorian shelters and drinking fountain. Although there are strong currents in the Solent, the shore along Princes Green is safe for swimmers. The beach here is a mix of sand and shingle; there is a sandier beach at Gurnard one mile to the west.

Above the high street lies Northwood Park with its commanding views over the Solent. Northwood House, a classical style mansion built in 1837, was presented to the town in 1929. Its 26 acres of public grounds contain tennis courts, bowling greens, a putting green and a children's play area. At the edge of the park stands St Mary's Church. Its landmark clock tower designed by John Nash, and was retained when the church was rebuilt in 1867.

Shipbuilding was once the main industry of East Cowes. Today it is home to Westland Aerospace with its distinctive Union Flag painted on its factory doors, the largest Union Jack in the world. There is a good selection of local shops and a car and passenger ferry from Southampton. At the southern end of the promenade there is a popular paddling pool.

East Cowes is where you'll find the magnificent Osborne House, seaside holiday home of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, designed by the Prince Consort, it remains much as it was when Queen Victoria died there in 1901. At the nearby village of Whippingham is St. Mildreds church, also designed by the Prince.