Cowes and East Cowes

Twin towns on the Medina estuary, world-famous for sailing and royal heritage

Cowes and East Cowes sit on opposite banks of the River Medina where it meets the Solent, connected by the Cowes Floating Bridge chain ferry. Cowes is world famous for sailing. The Royal Yacht Squadron, founded in 1815, occupies Cowes Castle at the western entrance to the river, and Cowes Week, held every August, is the oldest and largest sailing regatta in the world, attracting over 100,000 visitors. The High Street runs parallel to the waterfront and is full of chandleries, yacht outfitters, independent shops and restaurants. East Cowes faces the river from the opposite bank and is home to Osborne House, Queen Victoria's seaside palace, now managed by English Heritage. The town also has a heritage of aircraft and hovercraft manufacturing, with Saunders-Roe and later British Hovercraft Corporation based here. Red Funnel's vehicle ferry operates from East Cowes to Southampton. The two towns together have a population of around 15,000 and a character defined by the water, by sailing and by the river that divides them.