Cowes hotels

Hotels in Cowes

Cowes, on the Isle of Wight, is a pretty seaside town which enjoys lots of boating-related tourism. Rumour has it that the town first got its name from a nearby sandbank that resembled a cow. There are plenty of B&Bs and guesthouses amongst your Cowes hotel options. They get a lot busier in the summer, when most of the boating and music events take place.

Sightseeing in Cowes

The town is linked to East Cowes by a chain ferry – the Cowes Floating Bridge – across the River Medina. There isn't a physical bridge, but the ferry can take up to 20 cars over at a time. From there, a regular ferry service runs to Southampton on the English mainland.

The Isle of Wight Coastal Path passes through Cowes. As the 67-mile path is circular, you can cycle the whole route and arrive back where you started.

Cowes has been a UK venue for international yacht races since 1815. Cowes Week, held every August, is the oldest regularly-run regatta in the world. You can also see powerboat races from Cowes in the summer.

The Isle of Wight

The island is a county of England in its own right. It's been a popular holiday destination since the Victorian era, with Queen Victoria herself building a summer holiday home at East Cowes.

There's an Area of Outstanding National Beauty near to the centre of the island. The low levels of light pollution make the night sky starry and beautiful – stay out for a Dark Wight Skies event at the Isle of Wight Observatory.

In June, the Isle of Wight Festival brings live music and teepees to Seaclose Park. It offers festival-goers the chance to try glamping in a luxury tent, with added VIP access.

Activities

However active you feel, Cowes has something for everyone.

The award-winning beach at Cowes is a great place to start. Relax on the sand or have a go at sailing and windsurfing. Several companies run paddle boarding and diving excursions from the town.

Indoor activities include a trip to the Cowes Maritime Museum, which is open on Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. The collection is joined by a maritime collection at Cowes Library.