Cowes town – Enjoy all that this area has

WELCOME TO COWES

The towns of Cowes and East Cowes either side of Cowes Harbour are steeped in maritime history and if you’ve never stepped ashore, then you’re in for a treat. Used to welcoming visitors here since Victorian times, you should find everything you need to ensure your stay is filled with Island magic.

You can cross the river Medina, which separates Cowes and East Cowes and flows down to the county town of Newport, either by foot and vehicle using the Cowes Floating Bridge, or calling a water taxi to ferry you across. There are delightful walks and cycle trails along both sides of the Medina estuary and town seafronts if you want to stretch your legs and explore.

Of course, sailing is a way of life here, so you’ll find all the boat services, equipment and kit you’ll need. There are several chandleries like Pascall Atkey with its vintage shopfront and interior, and Jolliffes stocks everything from paddleboards to clinometers. Cowes is home to world famous sail makers Ratsey and Lapthorne, and North Sails. Spinlock supply rope holding equipment and personal safety protection, and there are a wealth of other specialist sailing services in and around the town. You can also learn or improve sailing skills at the many training schools such as UKSA, who provide all manner of courses from watersports to Yachtmaster qualifications.

Cowes is filled with a wide range of sail clothing shops, whether you’re planning a gentle cruise down to Yarmouth, or about to circumnavigate the globe. Toio stock a wide range of garments and

offer a fast and personalised in-house embroidery service for crew uniforms. Other well-known sailing brands Helly Hansen, Musto and Zhik are also on the high street.

There are plenty of boutique fashion retailers filled with outfits for whatever onshore activity you’ll be attending. You can select from a range of beautiful and stylish clothes and accessories at Mia, with friendly staff on hand to help. Bella stocks wonderful Italian linens in all colours, and there are more fashion options at Blush, Joules, Fat Face and White Stuff. Osbornes provide men’s suits and shirts for all occasions and offer a dry cleaning service.

Staples and Green

Established in 1862, Benzies is known as the Yachtsman’s Jeweller for its fine and unique pieces of yachting jewellery, and contemporary Skylarking Silver showcases divine original designs using sterling silver, gold and precious stones.

The town has gentlemen’s barbers, and a range of hair and beauty salons. You can be pampered at Becalmed Wellbeing and Medi Spa, or ease those aches at Cowes Chiropractic Clinic. If you’re after some flowers then Bay Tree Florists creates delightful bouquets for any occasion.

Homeware shops are crammed full of treasures to take home or give as gifts, from mirrors and cushions to doormats and furniture, often with a coastal theme. Staples and Green oozes nautical, summery style, and explore K1 Britannia for upmarket maritime antiques, paintings and furniture. Wooldridge Interiors bring modern, indulgent design to the high street, Buff’s design-led cookshop also has fantastic gifts, and Joli is packed with perfect presents and homeware inspired by seaside living.

Art

Cowes’ nautical theme continues in much of the art found here. Photographer Neil Williams displays powerful yet hauntingly beautiful land, city and seascapes including dramatic sailing shots of classic yachts such as Velsheda and Eleonora at his gallery on Shooters Hill.

Bow Spray - 1933 J Class Yacht Velsheda, by Neil Williams

Beken of Cowes marine image archive in Birmingham Road is well known for its beautiful classic racing and cruising photographs from the 1880s – 2016. This historical Beken Archive has been described as a ‘National Treasure’.

Rick Tomlinson’s gallery in Cowes Yacht Haven features incredible images from races and regattas around the world, including the Whitbread Round the World Race and the GBR Challenge at the America’s Cup 2002-3 in Auckland.

Shorelines of Cowes in the High Street sells a range of local artists’ work, from night sky photography by Chad Powell to delightful and detailed local seaside watercolour scenes by Maria Ward.

Royalty, racing and rigging - historic walking tours of Cowes

The nautical town of Cowes is filled with a rich history and has played an important role in the building, sailing and racing of some of the world’s most significant boats and yachts. Cowes gift and homeware shop Joli has commissioned Isle Of Wight Guided Tours to lead a series of relaxing and informative walks to really get to know this fascinating town.

‘Royalty, Racing and Rigging’ enables you to delve into Cowes’ maritime history and its close connections with the royal family, from Tudor times to the present day. Expect many intriguing tales and anecdotes to be recounted during the 90 minute tour which covers 1.5km and takes in the vibrant High Street.

Did you know the old Union Inn pub was once used for illegal contraband and smuggling, or that The Royal London Yacht Club was relocated to Cowes because of sewage problems in the Thames? Its famous members have included one of the fathers of Italian unification, Giuseppe Garibaldi, and Cowes boat builder Uffa Fox, who taught Prince Charles how to sail.

The ‘Royalty, Racing and Rigging’ tour will also reveal where Cowes got its name from, which high street coffee shop formerly made shoes for Queen Victoria, Sir Winston Churchill’s connection with Cowes and many more fun and fascinating facts.

‘Royalty, Rigging and Racing’ walks are scheduled on 3, 9 and 17 May as part of the IW Walking Festival and for these voluntary donations in aid of the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust are invited. There are also walks on May 30, June 20, July 11, 25, August 1, 22 and September 5 at £8 per head. Private tours can also be arranged.

Contact Emma at Joli on 07854833159 or emmaiow@btinternet.com to book, and enjoy a 10% discount at Joli after the walk.

Kendalls Fine Art

Kendalls Fine Art is an impressive contemporary and traditional Fine Art Gallery, well located on The Parade in Cowes.

The gallery was established twenty years ago and has built up a loyal international clientele. In the gallery you will find a carefully curated range of artwork for sale by over fifty of the finest marine artists.

Clients visit the gallery on foot, by car or by boat and purchase something unique to enhance their homes, often as a reminder of special times spent on the Isle of Wight.

With a huge diversity of styles, there is also a select range of 19th and 20th century furniture and sculpture from which to choose.

The full selection of available artwork can be viewed in the gallery or by visiting the website, where you will see opening times and items that may be purchased online, with free UK delivery on most of the paintings.

CLASSIC BOAT MUSEUM - VIGIA

The Classic Boat Museum maps out the history of the Isle of Wight and Cowes through its marine heritage. With more than 75 boats on show, their latest project is a replica of the Victorian Catboat Vigia.

The original Vigia was built by Caleb Corke of Birmingham Road, Cowes in 1872. She is an English version of an American style Catboat and only 24 feet long.

Vigia was presented to the Museum in 2006, and although her hull looked good, on closer inspection she was too fragile to repair, so the decision was made to build a replica.

Her lines were taken off the original and a new hull built using the modern strip plank technique by the Museum’s volunteers using epoxy donated by local company Gurit.

Several original pieces have been kept for display, including parts of the cockpit combing and the builder’s plate. Vigia is due to be completed during 2021.

classicboatmuseum.com

Hamo Thornycroft

SIR MAX AITKEN MUSEUM

2019 marked the 40th anniversary of the fascinating Sir Max Aitken Museum at The Prospect on Cowes High Street.

Sir Max Aitken acquired this magnificent 18th Century sail maker’s loft in 1947. Today, it houses his personal collection of historic and nautical artefacts, including items from Nelson and Napoleon, and a 51ft 1920s Gaff from the Royal Racing Yacht Britannia.

Sir Max fought in the Battle of Britain and was an able yachtsman, winning the Round the Island Race twice and achieving Line Honours in the 1969 Sydney - Hobart race. Several of his yachts were built by local boat builders and many of his trophies are displayed in the museum.

Sir Max was a founder member of The London International Boat Show and helped create the Cowes - Torquay Offshore Powerboat Race, first held in 1961, which he and his wife competed in many times. He was named Yachtsman of the Year in 1978.

“The no-fuss setting, friendly service, and delicious, thoughtfully sourced, simply prepared food make for a seductive proposition. It’s no surprise that the decision to award The Little Gloster the coveted Best Local Restaurant award in the 2020 Good Food Guide was unanimous” The Good Food Guide

BEST LOCAL RESTAURANT 2020

“The glass encased dining room of this fun loving restaurant with rooms buzzes with life” Fiona Duncan - The Telegraph “Local ingredients prepared in a skilful kitchen for an Isle of Wight meets

Copenhagen vibe” Jamie Oliver Magazine

Food and dining

In Cowes you can sample the best of the Island’s diverse and delicious culinary offerings. Whether you’re hankering for a hearty breakfast, creating the perfect picnic lunch, celebrating with friends or searching for romantic fine dining there are plenty of eateries and stores catering for all tastes and budgets while showcasing tasty local ingredients.

Eating out? With its warm, friendly atmosphere, Toninos Italian Restaurant has been popular with visiting sailors and locals since 1979. The traditional menu includes fresh pasta and pizza as well as popular meat and fish dishes. Coast champions fresh local produce, and you’ll be welcomed for breakfast, morning cake and cappuccino, hearty lunch or three course dinner. There’s a wood fired pizza oven too. Family run Murray’s Seafood Restaurant opened in 1975, and uses fresh local and regional ingredients, sourcing fine crab and lobster from Bembridge. Expect fine dining in a relaxed setting at North House, with a menu filled with delicious locally sourced, seasonal dishes. Its rustic-chic restaurant also includes a terrace and stylish bar. New Holmwood Hotel’s restaurant has a great choice of freshly cooked cuisine that uses Island-sourced produce where possible. Lunch and dinner can be enjoyed with accompanying panoramic views of the Solent and all the ships that sail it. Little French Franks café by the Red Jet

opens at 6am, and sailors can pre-order quality crew lunch boxes including wraps, cold drinks, chocolate bars and illy coffee, with all packaging kept to a minimum. Manny’s friendly café serves a range of sandwiches, baguettes, drinks and cakes with a specialty of Portugese custard tart, to eat in or take away. The window of Richmonds artisan bakery and café is filled with tempting-looking cakes, pastries and breads made with fresh, local ingredients, like the fabulous Oil of Wight focaccia. For a traditional fish and chip supper, Corries Cabin is the place to go for great quality seaside fayre, and caters for gluten free and vegetarian tastes too.

In East Cowes, Prego offers pizza, pasta, paninis and salads made with authentic Italian ingredients and fresh Island produce, and the Lunch Box Café serves tempting homemade cakes, lunches and breakfast. The Lifeboat pub overlooking East Cowes Marina is a popular sailing pit-stop, and for fine dining seek out Albert Cottage on the edge of the Osborne Estate.

Sail down the river to Breeze Restaurant at Island Harbour with home cooked food and a large

children’s play area, or The Folly at Whippingham, a rustic pub with fantastic views across the river.

Many of the pubs in Cowes also serve great food, and some have areas where you can eat al fresco in the warmer weather. The Anchor is known for its live music at the weekends, The Duke of York is always a lively venue, and Pier View is a favourite with sailors. You can also try The Fountain next to the Red Jet, The Yachtsman on the Parade, and sample a range of real ales at Cowes Ale House.

If you are self-catering, planning a picnic or eating on the water, you’ll find a wide range of independent shops selling high quality local produce to create a spread fit for a king. These include family run Grace’s bakery, with fresh bread and tasty pastries available daily. Toby’s of Cowes stocks a wide range of cheeses including Isle of Wight cheese, with accompanying biscuits, chutneys, pate, honeys and dips. Pick up a tasty Isle of Wight steak at The Butcher Shop, the place to go for the best quality meat. Rosalie’s of Cowes sells gifts alongside fresh seasonal produce, with many items grown on the Island. Healthy Indulgence offer organic, vegan, allergen-free chilled and

Healthy Indulgence

frozen foods including home-cooked meals, cakes and cookies. At Slab, you can buy dairy and vegan artisan Isle of Wight fudge and watch it being handmade on the stove-top. Bliss ice cream parlour is filled with delicious flavours from The Isle of Wight Ice Cream Co and you can also order fresh fruit smoothies containing half your five a day. At Wine Therapy you can select a bottle to go with anything, with a range of gins available too. Try a local craft beer from Lifecraft Isle of Wight, with stouts, IPAs, fruit beers, bottle-conditioned ales and everything in between.

OUR ISLAND MERMAID IS BLUSHING New for the summer of 2019 the Isle of Wight Distillery launched their new Mermaid Pink Gin, a vibrant and aromatic gin created with local strawberries.

It is distilled using strawberries from the unique micro-climate of the Arreton Valley - a rich and fertile valley that receives some of the best sunshine levels in the UK. These precious Island jewels are steeped in the distillery’s signature gin for 4 days. Then, half the quantity is removed to be distilled and eventually added back to the remaining infusion - lending the gin a refreshing, and intensely aromatic, strawberry flavour. With no added sugar, the gin is substantially less sweet than many on the market. Ideal for summer sipping, this new Pink is presented in the Isle of Wight Distillery’s new look strikingly sculpted bottles. It features a premium natural cork stopper and biodegradable tamper-proof seal, with no single-use plastic at point of purchase. So, to impress your friends on a balmy summer evening what better way than to follow the growing mixology trend by trying these easy-to-follow yet impressive ideas. Strawberry & Mint Lemonade at The Hut, Colwell Bay

Ingredients: 60ml Mermaid Pink Gin Muddled strawberry and mint Top up with Lemonade Using a high ball glass, muddle mint and strawberry in a glass. For a cool, fruity flavour, add crushed ice, top up with lemonade and garnish with fresh strawberries and a sprig of mint.

TIPSY WIGHT

Solent Breeze is a gorgeous new cocktail from the Tipsy Wight team created especially for the summer sailing season. This stunning combination of fragrant Elderflower vodka, basil and mint makes an ideal party starter for any post-regatta celebration.

Ingredients: 60ml Tipsy Wight Elderflower Vodka Liqueur 100ml Soda Water Handful of basil and mint leaves 3tsp soft brown sugar Crushed ice Dash of freshly squeezed lemon and lime juice

Muddle together sugar, basil and mint and add to a shaker containing crushed ice, vodka and lemon and lime juice. Shake vigorously, strain into a Martini glass, garnish with fresh mint or basil leaves and enjoy the taste of summer.

You can purchase Tipsy Wight vodkas in East Cowes at the Osborne House gift shop.

Accommodation

If you are looking for land-based accommodation in the area, you’ll find a place to suit all budgets. Many of the local pubs offer rooms, and there’s a good selection of comfy hotels and charming B&Bs.

North House is a 19th Century townhouse on Sun Hill, with 14 beautifully designed rooms. All feature rainfall showers and some have fireplaces, garden or sea views, balconies, sitting areas and free-standing baths. Guest areas include a cosy library with a fireplace, and a garden, outdoor pool and fire pit.

New Holmwood Hotel and Restaurant is situated on the water’s edge on Queen’s Road in Cowes, and offers the highest level of service, quality and comfort. Here nothing is too much trouble and several of the rooms have spectacular views over the Solent.

Annie’s B&B on Cambridge Road in East Cowes is a beautiful Victorian house with stunning views and free parking in a peaceful location, near to the Red Funnel ferry. It’s ideally situated for boating, and walkers or cyclists can easily access the Isle of Wight Coastal Path.

New Holmwood Hotel

Medina Publishing

It’s been several decades since Cowes has been home to a bookshop, but the arrival of Medina Publishing has brought literature to the high street once again.

Medina Publishing was established in 2009 in southwest London. Last summer, founding director Peter Harrigan relocated the main publishing base to the Isle of Wight, and with it opened an independent bookshop to serve the Island’s thriving creative community. Run by a friendly team of three - Jess, Katie and Krissy - the Cowes bookshop celebrates a remarkably wide range of Isle of Wight literature, and has a section dedicated to mainstream and bestselling titles for both children and adults There is also a range of cookery books, maps, guides, diaries, journals, gifts, cards and even an exhibition wall for Island artwork, photography and events.

The team source and stock all books related to the Island, from Jane Austen’s Mansfield Park to the full works of local children’s author Jules Marriner. Most notably, the shop has an impressive antiquarian maritime and sailing section. This includes works by Uffa Fox, Beken of Cowes, and rarities like The Ashley Book of Knots or Shanties from the Sea.

Far from being just a bookshop, Medina hosts events throughout the year including a monthly book club, kids’ sessions with crafts, stories and activities, and author signing events. Publishing submissions and requests, or suggestions for local books to be stocked on the shelves are also welcome.

It’s certainly worth a visit, and if you don’t find what you’re looking for, just ask one of the team who will happily order it in for you.

Wooden and Steel Ship Repairs Ltd

Sam Fulford, owner of Wooden and Steel Ship Repairs Ltd, is keeping Cowes shipyard traditions alive from two historic sites on the River Medina. These shipyards have an incredibly rich history, but more importantly, now have a future.

Sam established Wooden and Steel Ship Repairs Ltd in 2013, as a mobile service operating from local boatyards. Finding that the limiting weight capabilities of these yards were holding back the business, he took on the neglected main slipway area at Clarence Boat Yard in East Cowes in 2017. After considerable investment to rebuild the slipway’s cradle and tracks, it now accommodates vessels up to 120’ long and 20’ wide. A second small slipway handles vessels up to 35’ long.

In 2019, Sam was given the opportunity to revive another well-known but long unused Dry Dock Facility in Arctic Road, West Cowes. Known previously as Marvin’s and then Coles Yard, Arctic Dry Dock was once the largest yacht outfitting yard in the UK, and base for the Free French Navy during World War II. Today, it gives Wooden and Steel Ship Repairs the ability to dry dock vessels up to 250’ long and 40’ wide. The listed site incorporates unique workshops, allows construction and repair of large masts and spars, and provides the business with an impressive ship repair facility serving the entire South Coast. Sam feels extremely fortunate to have built up an excellent, highly skilled team of shipwrights, able to complete any job to the highest standards. With a specialisation in wooden ships and older steel vessels, Sam is attracting some fascinating historic crafts into these docks once more, while helping to keep the long standing and diverse marine industries of Cowes well and truly alive.

woodenshiprepairs.co.uk

Whittle Marine: no ordinary boatyard

Generally, it’s rare to see a fibreglass sailing boat older than 40 years out on the Solent; fibreglass motorboats appear to have an even shorter lifespan and the South Coast’s main marinas are filled with boats younger than 30 years old. Whittle Marine, however, stores, restores, repairs and services wooden racing day boats dating back to the 1930s and classic offshore racing powerboats from the 1960s; boats that share the yard’s sheds with modern, composite racer-cruisers and highpowered RIBs.

In fact, the Whittle Marine yard in Thorley, just outside Yarmouth in the West Wight, is a working timeline of boat development, design and technology reaching back over 100 years and a showcase for shipwright skills using traditional and modern materials and methods. Whittle Marine has experienced its busiest season in the past year, attracting boats and clients from around Great Britain and Europe. It has added the provision of boats, logistic and on-the-water support for filming and photo shoots out on the Solent to its list of services.

With the yard’s Island-wide valeting and launch and recovery service, in-house brokerage and a growing reputation for swift, high-quality insurance work, Whittle Marine is a boatyard looking to the future while keeping a firm grip on the past, combining heritage and horsepower with skill and experience.

whittlemarine.co.uk