Cowes
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Understand
Cowes, also known as West Cowes, is on the western bank of the River Medina, with East Cowes on the other side of the river.
Get in
- Red Funnel Red Jet passenger catamaran – Southampton Town Quay to West Cowes; 25 min; adult £14.40,
- Red Funnel car and passenger ferry – Southampton Town Quay to East Cowes; 55 min
Get around
A chain ferry, the Cowes Floating Bridge, runs across the river between the two towns; cars £2, foot passengers free. To drive by road requires a ten mile trip through Newport.
Southern Vectis provides bus services.
See
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address: Cowes Waterfront, Venture Quays, Castle St, PO32 6EZ
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address: Beckford Rd
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Wight Military And Heritage Museum
phone: +44 1983 632039address: Northwood Camp, 490 Newport Rd, PO31 8QU -
phone: +44 1983 200022address: York Ave, East Cowes, PO32 6JXAlthough officially a summer home for Queen Victoria, she used it as her main residence for some time after the death of Prince Albert, her husband. Now owned and operated by English Heritage, most of the well-preserved house and grounds are open to visitors year-round. Visitors planning to visit both Osborne House and Carisbrooke Castle should consider becoming members of English Heritage; it can work out cheaper than buying individual tickets for family groups and allows free access to all other English Heritage properities for the rest of the year.
Do
Alum BayFamous for the many colours of sand which appear naturally on the beach. A traditional souvenir of the Isle of Wight is a picture or glass paperweight filled with the different colours - there are many stalls where you can get the wherewithal to make your own if you are so inclined. The bay is close to The Needles (see below) and accessible by stairs or by a ski resort-style chairlift.
Cowes WeekThe biggest yacht racing regatta in the world, started in 1823, with about 1000 yachts competing. There is a firework display on the Friday evening.
Sleep
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phone: +44 1983 292397address: High St, PO31 7AW