Cowes

At the northern tip of the Island are Cowes & East Cowes, separated by the River Medina, which leads down to Newport, the Island’s capital and largest town.

Best known as the world's premier yachting centre, Cowes is the Island's main port and has an array of fashionable clothing shops, gift shops, delicatessens, cafes, restaurants and lively pubs. East Cowes is best known for its industrial heritage and for the fact that Queen Victoria lived at Osborne House which is a short distance from the centre of the town.

The home of yachting, Cowes is famed around the world and in particular the first week of August sees the famous Cowes Week when hundreds of yachts and thousands of sailors arrive to race and party. It is a truly wonderful spectacle and in the past was adorned by the presence of Royal Yacht Britannia.

The entrance to Cowes harbour is dominated by the famous Royal Yacht Squadron, housed in what was the original Cowes Castle. The polished brass cannons that came from William IV yacht Royal Adelaide are still used to start the yacht races and are much admired.

Cowes High Street is now mainly a pedestrian precinct and there are many interesting shops to browse whilst wandering through the narrow streets.