England:Cowes

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Wikipedia entry for Cowes http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cowes

Cowes is a seaport town on the Isle of Wight, an island due south of the major southern English port of Southampton. It is located on the west bank of the estuary of the River Medina facing the smaller town of East Cowes on the east Bank. The town is therefore sometimes referred to as West Cowes, especially where distinction is needed such as at the ferry termini. Leland's nineteenth century verses, described the towns poetically as "The two great Cowes that in loud thunder roar, This on the eastern, that the western shore". The two towns are linked by a chain ferry. The combined population was 19,919 in the 1991 census, a figure that is easily doubled during the regatta in early August.

Cowes is now renowned for sailing, Cowes Castle being home to the world famous Royal Yacht Squadron, which ranks amongst the world's elite yacht clubs. The town gives its name to the world's oldest regular regatta, Cowes Week, which occurs in the first week of August. Later on in the summer, powerboat races are held.

East Cowes is home to Norris Castle, and Osborne House, the former summer residence of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. The Prince had a major influence on the building of St Mildred's Church in Whippingham, East Cowes, which features distinctive turrets imitating those found on a German castle. Both towns' architecture is heavily influenced by the distinctive style of ornate building which was popular in Prince Albert's time.

Coordinates

50.45.89N 01.17.80W

Authority

Isle of Wight

Charts

Admiralty Charts: 5600, 2035, 2036, 2793
Imray: C3, C15
Stanfords: 11, 24, 25

General

There are some buoys just in the mouth of the River Medina, these are OK unless North or North East/West is blowing hard. Further in, the Yacht Haven is good, but very busy. Approach slowly and if you see any buoy marked with a V, you may tie up to it

Whilst there is, in fact, no such thing as Cowes Marina, the name has been used colloquially for the area which is now Cowes Yacht Haven and dates back to the inception of the marina facility in 1970. As the largest and most prominent marina in Cowes, serving the Solent area, south coast and the Isle of Wight, it would seem obvious that the name Cowes Marina should have been adopted formally, however this has never been the case. There is however an East Cowes Marina. Cowes Yacht Haven is on the northern shore of the Isle of Wight, at the mouth of the River Medina and is easily accessible at all states of the tide. The River Medina opens to the Solent, which stretches from Portsmouth in the east to the Needles in the west. The Solent offers some of the finest sailing waters in the world.

The Yacht Haven is immediately adjoining Cowes High Street with its shops, pubs, restaurants, banks, yacht clubs and services to other parts of the Island.

East Cowes Marina is a modern purpose-built marina in a superb location at the heart of the Solent. Laid out along the eastern bank upstream from the chain ferry, the marina occupies a sheltered stretch of the River Medina. With 235 resident berths and up to 150 visitor berths, there is the capacity to accommodate rallies and group bookings, as well as catering for the island's major events including Cowes Week and Round the Island Race.

Marinas

East Cowes Marina

+44 (0)1983 293983
http://www.eastcowesmarina.co.uk/service.htm

Cowes Harbour Taxi

VHF 77, tel: 07050 344818
http://www.cowesyachthaven.com/berthing.aspx

Folly Waterbus

VHF 77, tel: 07974 864627

Cowes Yacht Haven

tel: +44 (0)1983 299975 fax: +44 (0)1983 200332