Cowes

Cowes is a compact seaport town on the north coast of the Isle of Wight, looking out across the Solent. It sits either side of the mouth of the River Medina, split into East Cowes and West Cowes and linked by the chain ferry, with regular mainland sailings to Southampton.

Famous worldwide for yachting, Cowes hosts the long‑running Cowes Week regatta and is a hub for boatyards, marinas and sailing schools, so tourism and the maritime economy dominate. The town has strong Victorian and royal associations – Osborne House is nearby – and outside event weeks it retains a small‑town mix of independent shops, pubs and a close-knit sailing community.