Cowes & East Cowes

Home to the oldest and biggest sailing regatta in the world, Cowes is the number one destination for sailors during the summer months. But it also boasts a rich wealth of history and culture with its ‘twin’ East Cowes just across the Medina estuary by chain ferry.

Exploring

Stroll through the vibrant town and enjoy independent shops and well-known yachting clothing stores, sit at a pavement café or have a restaurant lunch and people watch or enjoy a glass of something cold and watch the sun go down over the Solent before having dinner at some excellent pubs and restaurants.

Take yourself across the water to East Cowes via the chain ferry and enjoy a slice of great British history at Osborne; Queen Victoria’s seaside residence. Stroll along her beach and enjoy the walled garden and Swiss Cottage. It’s a wonderful spot for families or just to wander through on your own. There are cultural museums, events and galleries to enjoy on both sides of the Medina and you’ll notice the influence of Prince Albert’s ornate designs in the architecture of many houses and buildings. Cowes is featured in the Slow Travel Guide to the Isle of Wight. Why not try a new way of exploring a discover hidden places and local’s favourites in Cowes.

Stay in the town to get a real feel of what has attracted visitors since pre-Victorian times and use your stay as a springboard for all that the rest of the Island has to offer. You won’t be disappointed.

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Eat, drink and be merry

Whatever your taste in food, the size of your party or the depth of your wallet, you won’t have any problem finding a gastronomic delight in Cowes. From tempting tapas, perfect pizza, blockbusting burgers and the finest of dining to the simplest of sandwiches, Cowes will not disappoint.

For families, hungry sailors and visitors alike there is an enormous amount of choice and you can choose from restaurants, pubs, cafes and wine bars offering food from around the globe as well as locally grown and produced fish, meat, vegetables, wine, beer and even gin! Enjoy breakfast, lunch, brunch, afternoon tea and dinner, Sunday roast and the Island’s favourite fish and chips. Treat yourself to cakes, custard tarts, fudge and ice cream, all made or baked freshly as well as artisan bread, cheeses and wine. You’ll be spoiled for choice and in fact, if you were to stay in Cowes for a week, you’d be hard pressed to sample all that’s on offer.

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Shop to your heart’s content

Boutique clothing stores, foodie heavens, beautiful interiors shops and practical chandlers all abound in Cowes. If you’re looking for that necessary piece of rope, a sailing top or a seaside souvenir, artisan bread, cheese or a really good bottle of wine then you can find all of these things down the High Street.

Self-catering, picnicking or eating on the water? There are small independent shops selling local produce and necessities and two larger supermarkets, one in Cowes and one in East Cowes for anything else.

For gift buying or something to take home as a reminder of a good holiday well spent, take your pick from driftwood mirrors, locally produced chutneys, oils and jams, basketry, jewellery and nauticalia from the small shops which line the town or stock up on your sailing gear at well known yachting emporiums. Whatever it is you need to buy or whatever you fancy, you’re sure to find it in Cowes.

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What’s on in Cowes?

Cowes Week is the world’s oldest sailing regatta and takes place in August at the height of the summer and sailing season. The town is thronged with visitors at this time and with live music and entertainment throughout the week. There are also other regattas and races throughout the year including Round the Island Race, classic yachts and powerboats. Historic Northwood House is host to the Isle of Wight Proms and the Isle of Wight Literary Festival.  Something for everyone to enjoy however old or young – go sailing, join in with summer fun and adventures or just sit back and listen…

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Getting out and about in Cowes

There’s so much to squash into your time in Cowes that you might find yourself having a return visit to fit it all in! From beaches to Queen Victoria’s summer palace you will find it, in her words, ‘impossible to find a prettier spot’.

There are maritime museums in both Cowes and East Cowes to enjoy, sailing and water sports to partake in, regattas, galleries and shops to enjoy and boat trips to take. Did you know that the first hovercraft was developed in East Cowes? Go and find out all about it in the Heritage Museum. Or see the cradle used by Napoleon Bonaparte for his son amongst the other nauticalia at the Max Aitken Museum.

Take a stroll around the extensive grounds of Osborne and marvel at the views that reminded Albert and Victoria of the Bay of Naples, or visit the recently restored Durbar Room to see the collection of Indian treasures. St Mildred’s Church in nearby Whippingham was where the Queen worshipped. Or you could just buy yourself a picnic, enjoy the sunny esplanade and watch the boats go by or even head up to Northwood Park and snooze under the trees. Walk along the seafront, breathe in that fresh sea air and go for a paddle or a swim if you’re feeling brave! Whatever you decide to do, you can be sure of plenty of the great outdoors!

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On the Water

Charles Godfrey Leland's 19th century verses describe the towns poetically as ‘The two great Cowes that in loud thunder roar / This on the eastern, that the western shore’. With its old town, esplanade and the Royal Yacht Squadron founded in 1815 at the very heart of Cowes, it’s a mecca for those enjoying water activities and sailing.

If you asked most people what Cowes is famous for then we think that at least 95% would say Cowes Week. The oldest and biggest regatta in the world, the first official regatta was held in 1812, then 14 years later, on August 10th in 1826, the Royal Yacht Squadron formally organised three days of racing in the waters of the Solent. It’s a week of sailing, but there’s entertainment, live bands and pop up food and drink stalls for everyone to enjoy.

There are other regattas dotted throughout the year with everything from classic yachts to powerboats taking part and if you are feeling inspired but don’t know how to sail then why not book yourself a sailing or dinghy course locally in Cowes at UKSA. You can try a whole raft of water-based activities in Cowes with everything from swimming and diving to rowing and canoeing, fishing, wind and kite surfing. Or alternatively you could just go for a paddle…

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Now where shall we stay?

The Isle of Wight is proud of its tourism heritage from the times when the Victorians came to the Island for their seaside holidays and Cowes is completely geared up to make your visit as special as possible with somewhere great to stay. How about a historic cottage to rent or a room above a pub, award winning bed and breakfast or boutique hotel? Cowes and East Cowes have all of these and much more.

You could avail yourself of one of Queen Victoria’s gatehouses at Sovereign Gate or a smart apartment overlooking the water or just pitch your tent at one of the camping parks. If you’re coming to Cowes or East Cowes with your boat, then there are moorings available for you to tie up to if you’re sleeping aboard. Accommodation to suit everyone and every budget right in the heart of town or a little further afield if lapping water or a spot of history is what you hanker for – whatever you choose, you’ll be delighted with it.

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Is it easy for me to get there?

However you’re travelling, it couldn’t be easier to get to Cowes or East Cowes from Southampton. There are regular rail connections to the south coast via SWR and London is only 2 hours away by train and Red Jet as a foot passenger.