Explore Cowes & the Isle of Wight

From world-famous sailing and waterfront walks to beautiful beaches, historic landmarks and exceptional places to eat, The Coach House puts the best of Cowes and the Isle of Wight within easy reach.

Discover the Island from Cowes

Perfectly positioned close to Cowes seafront and town centre, The Coach House is an excellent base for enjoying both the immediate area and the wider Isle of Wight.

Spend the morning walking beside the Solent, explore Cowes’ independent shops and restaurants, or travel further afield to discover historic houses, beaches, countryside and some of the Island’s best-known attractions.

Explore Cowes on foot

The Coach House is just a short walk from Cowes seafront, where you can follow the Esplanade towards Egypt Point and Gurnard while enjoying panoramic views across the Solent. In the opposite direction, Cowes town centre offers independent shops, cafés, restaurants, traditional pubs and a lively waterfront atmosphere.

Recommended highlights:

Cowes Parade and seafront
Cowes High Street
Egypt Point
Gurnard and its sunsets
Northwood House and park
Cowes Maritime Museum
Sir Max Aitken Museum
The Royal Yacht Squadron and sailing heritage

At the Heart of the Sailing World

Cowes is internationally recognised for sailing and hosts an outstanding programme of regattas and maritime events. During the sailing season, visitors can watch yachts racing across the Solent, experience the atmosphere around the marinas or simply enjoy the spectacle from the waterfront.

Throughout the year, Cowes hosts an exciting programme of sailing events, bringing competitors and spectators from around the world to the Solent. Highlights include:

Cowes Week – one of the world’s best-known sailing regattas, combining competitive racing with a lively programme of shoreside entertainment.
Round the Island Race – an impressive annual race around the Isle of Wight, attracting a vast fleet of professional and amateur sailors.
Cowes Yacht Haven – a central marina and event venue situated moments from Cowes High Street.
Shepards Marina – a popular base for visiting crews, regattas and group sailing events.
Sailing throughout the season – watch racing and recreational sailing from Cowes Parade, the Esplanade and Egypt Point.

The Coach House provides spacious accommodation for up to eight guests, making it particularly well suited to sailing crews, groups and families visiting Cowes for maritime events.

Cowes Maritime Museum

Located within Cowes Library, this small museum tells the story of the town’s maritime heritage through photographs, models and historic objects.

Classic Boat Museum

Discover Cowes’ boatbuilding and sailing history through an extensive collection of vessels, artefacts and maritime exhibits.

Northwood House

Explore the park surrounding this Grade II-listed historic house, just a short walk from Cowes town centre.

History and Heritage

Cowes and East Cowes have a rich maritime and royal heritage waiting to be explored. From museums celebrating the area’s boatbuilding and sailing history to Queen Victoria’s former Island residence, fascinating landmarks and stories can be discovered within easy reach of The Coach House.

Osborne House

Cross the River Medina to East Cowes and visit Osborne, the former seaside home of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. Explore the state rooms, family rooms, gardens, grounds and private beach.

The Coast Bar & Dining Room

Located in the heart of Cowes, The Coast offers relaxed all-day dining in a welcoming setting. The seasonal menu ranges from breakfast and coffee to pizzas, sharing dishes and evening meals, making it a versatile option for couples, families and groups.

The Garden

The Garden serves breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner in the centre of Cowes. Its covered and heated garden provides a pleasant setting for year-round dining, while the extensive drinks menu includes barista coffee and house cocktails.

Moocow

Set within a transformed Victorian school building, Moocow is a distinctive dining and social venue with colourful interiors and a year-round outdoor terrace. It serves homemade food alongside cocktails and other drinks, with regular entertainment adding to its lively atmosphere.

Eating Out in Cowes

Cowes has an excellent selection of independent restaurants, relaxed cafés and traditional pubs, many within walking distance of The Coach House. Whether you’re looking for locally caught seafood, informal family dining or somewhere special for an evening meal, there is plenty to choose from.

Smoking Lobster Cowes

Overlooking Cowes Marina, Smoking Lobster specialises in local seafood and Asian-inspired dishes. Its menu includes small plates, tasting options and seasonal fish, with seafood sourced from the restaurant group’s own boat and lobster pots. A strong choice for a memorable evening meal. Visit Smoking Lobster

Getting Here and Around

Reaching The Coach House is straightforward, with regular ferry services connecting the Isle of Wight to Southampton, Portsmouth and Lymington. Its location close to Cowes town centre also means guests arriving without a car can begin their stay without a lengthy onward journey.

Travelling from Southampton

For foot passengers, the Red Funnel Red Jet travels directly from Southampton to West Cowes in under 30 minutes. The Coach House is approximately a ten-minute walk from the West Cowes terminal, making this the most convenient route for guests travelling by train or arriving without a vehicle.

Guests bringing a car can take the Red Funnel vehicle ferry from Southampton to East Cowes. The crossing takes approximately one hour, followed by a short onward journey to West Cowes. Vehicle spaces can be limited during summer weekends and major sailing events, so advance booking is recommended.

We are able to arrange discounted rates for Guests using the Red Funnel Ferry providing the booking is made through us – please enquire with us direct

Travelling from Portsmouth or Lymington

Wightlink operates vehicle ferries from Portsmouth to Fishbourne and from Lymington to Yarmouth. Both arrival ports offer straightforward road connections to Cowes and may be more convenient for guests travelling from particular parts of the UK.

Foot passengers travelling through Portsmouth can also take Wightlink’s FastCat from Portsmouth Harbour to Ryde. Alternatively, Hovertravel operates a passenger hovercraft between Southsea and Ryde, with a crossing time of under ten minutes. Regular buses and taxis connect Ryde with Cowes.

Make The Coach House Your Island Base

Whether you’re planning a sailing break, a family holiday or a few relaxing days by the coast, The Coach House provides a luxurious and convenient base from which to experience Cowes and the wider Isle of Wight.

Sleeping up to eight guests in four ensuite bedrooms, with generous social spaces, sea views and private parking, it has everything you need to enjoy the Island together.