Holiday rentals and lettings in Cowes

Holiday lettings in Cowes are all about connecting with the sea on the backdrop of the stunning island of the Isle of Wight. Want to be on the doorstep of Cowes’ finest eateries and leisure options? Then choose a holiday rental by the seafront, where you’ll find a fabulous assortment of bars, theatres and restaurants with views of the yachts and sailing boats for which Cowes is so famous. Prefer to shack up in the countryside? Head to the south of Cowes for holiday lettings in the beautiful natural spaces of the Isle of Wight. Wherever you are in Cowes you’ll not be far away from any of the wonderful attractions on the Isle of Wight.

Surrounded by green fields or overlooking the sea, nature is never far away when you choose a holiday letting in Cowes. Stunning holiday flats overlook the waves, whereas peaceful holiday properties just outside the town of Cowes offer a blissful refuge from day to day life. Look out for lettings with sunny terraces or attractive gardens to kick back and relax in after a busy day’s sightseeing.

Cowes is a town on the Isle of Wight, just south of the English coast, and a short ferry trip away from the mainland. Choose from the slower Red Funnel car ferry if you want to bring your own vehicle, or the fast passenger Red Jet hydrofoil which takes less than half an hour! Cowes is in the northernmost tip of the island, uniquely separated into two separate parts – Cowes (never called West Cowes by locals!), and, across the River Medina, East Cowes. A ‘floating bridge’ (chain ferry) can get you across in minutes.

Cowes has some pretty beaches, one of the best being Osborne Bay towards the south of East Cowes, but you need to pay to access it via Osborne House. Don’t miss the hidden sandy gem in the village of Gurnard, just to the west of Cowes – take the footpath behind Gurnard Sailing Club. The walk to Gurnard from Cowes is only about 30 minutes and you’ll find a fantastic children’s playground there. It’s also the best place on the Isle of Wight to watch the sun set! East Cowes also has a great children’s playground, plus a paddling pool and is a fabulous place for your kids to decompress.

Cowes high street is a haven of delightful and unique shops and cafes, all benefitting from the uniquely temperate Isle of Wight weather. Street cafes abound, from where you can soak up the island atmosphere, and watch talented street musicians share their talent with passers-by. Shopping joys include specialist clothing boutiques for men, women and children, arts and crafts, and of course many a sailing-themed outlet!

Sailing and Cowes are, of course, synonymous. Whether you wish to just watch or actually partake, Cowes has some of the finest sailing in the UK due to the excellent Isle of Wight weather and superb wind conditions. Some of the world’s most important sailing races start here, such as the Fastnet Race. During Cowes Week the sailing is complemented by a huge range of fascinating stands and pop up shops and food outlets which line the beautiful promenade. Want to sail around the waters of Cowes but don’t have your own yacht? Don’t worry! Bareboat and skippered charters are available from the marina.

The Isle of Wight was Queen Victoria’s favourite holiday destination, and she adored the botanical gardens at her former residence, Osborne House, in East Cowes. Now open to the public, you too can follow in the Queen’s footsteps into these gardens so adored by Her Majesty. She is quoted as saying, “it is impossible to imagine a prettier spot”.

Mad as it seems now, the island’s first speeding ticket was handed to a motorist in Cowes who was travelling at the terrifying speed of 18 mph! In East Cowes spot the plaque and stone carving, created as a warning for others, now a piece of island history.

The Classic Boat Museum is a collection of working restorations and fascinating historical exhibition, split across two locations; The Boat Collection in Cowes, and The Gallery in East Cowes. Boat enthusiasts are in for a treat – the museum houses the biggest and best collection of dinghies in the UK!

Walk down the seafront and spot some of the most prestigious yacht clubs in the world. Don’t miss the castle-styled Royal Yacht Squadron building, starting point of the Cowes Week Yacht Races, and look for the shining cannons ready to sound the start of the races.

The largest Union Jack in the world is painted onto the hangar doors of the Wight Shipyard Company in East Cowes. Once one of the world’s leading ship building regions, Cowes is still known for its outstanding skills in ship design and fabrication.