Cowes Hotels
Mini guide to Cowes
Originally a shipbuilding town, Cowes is situated on the north coast of the Isle
of Wight and is a major yachting centre and tourist resort. Cowes is famed for
its annual 'Round the Island' yacht race and excellent leisure facilities, while
the historical attractions here are superb.
The main draw to Cowes is its yachting calendar and apart from the 'Round the
Island' yacht race there is the historical 'Skandia Life Cowes Week Regatta',
among many others. A major landmark in the town is the 16th century Cowes Castle,
home of the Royal Yacht Squadron and boasting 22 brass cannons.
The town centre of Cowes is one of pretty streets and several historical buildings
and museums. Cowes Castle is one of two early 18th century castles in the town
made from local stone; the other castle lies across the river in East Cowes
and overlooks the Solent.
All categories of boating can be enjoyed on the Solent and Medina rivers in
Cowes and there are quality leisure facilities in Northwood Park. Fishing, golf
and tennis are also available, while bathers should head for the beach near
Prince's Green. There is accommodation to suit all budgets in Cowes and the
nightlife is vibrant.
Cowes makes the perfect base for exploring the rest of the island and one of
the island's top attractions is the one-time home of Queen Victoria, Osborne
House, situated on the outskirts of East Cowes. Boat trips up the Medina River
and along the coast are very popular, while the resorts of Shanklin and Sandown
are also worth a look.
Ferries run from three sites on the mainland: Southampton to Cowes, Portsmouth
to Fishbourne and Lymington to Yarmouth. Trains run from Waterloo Station in
London to Southampton Central, from where you can take a bus taxi to Royal Pier
where ferries run to Pontoon in Cowes, a one-hour journey. Southampton International
Airport is the closest air terminal to the Isle of Wight.
Selection of hotels in this region:
Click below for a
full list of hotels and online booking
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