Guidebook for Cowes
Drinks & Nightlife
I love the Union in the winter because it's so snug. The seafood chowder is usually great (although sometimes it has too much potato). Plus they have a children's menu.
7 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Union Inn
Watch House LaneI love the Union in the winter because it's so snug. The seafood chowder is usually great (although sometimes it has too much potato). Plus they have a children's menu.
Food Scene
Amazing sea views and serves (traditional pub) food all day. A beautiful timber frame English building. If you're lucky, in the winter, you'll find the crab chowder on the specials board.
78 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Spyglass Inn
EsplanadeAmazing sea views and serves (traditional pub) food all day. A beautiful timber frame English building. If you're lucky, in the winter, you'll find the crab chowder on the specials board.
Every Gurnard local will tell you that it has 'the second best sunset in the world' and the Woodvale has the best view of that sunset bar none. Serves (traditional pub) food and has a children's menu. Also home to the annual village pickled onion competition in the Winter.
20 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Woodvale Hotel
1 Prince's EsplanadeEvery Gurnard local will tell you that it has 'the second best sunset in the world' and the Woodvale has the best view of that sunset bar none. Serves (traditional pub) food and has a children's menu. Also home to the annual village pickled onion competition in the Winter.
My absolute FAVOURITE new place to eat. I love it, love it, love it. Nomad offers a range of fusion tapas. Best by far is the mushroom quesadilla. Oh. Yeah. Be careful with portions though - they often tell you to order three or more plates each, but that is way too much. Start with two each (and perhaps one to share) then see how you go (...although if you can't decide they will do a doggy bag to take home). Our boys love it now too, but it might be a bit challenging for younger children.
Prawn and Co
62 High StMy absolute FAVOURITE new place to eat. I love it, love it, love it. Nomad offers a range of fusion tapas. Best by far is the mushroom quesadilla. Oh. Yeah. Be careful with portions though - they often tell you to order three or more plates each, but that is way too much. Start with two each (and perhaps one to share) then see how you go (...although if you can't decide they will do a doggy bag to take home). Our boys love it now too, but it might be a bit challenging for younger children.
North House hotel is a redeveloped version of the once (in)famous Rawlings Hotel (you were no one in Cowes until you'd skinny dipped in their pool at 2am). North House is a far more sedate re-incarnation but it's lovely (clearly borrowing with pride from the Soho House group). The restaurant offers small and large plates for lunch and dinner, often using locally sourced ingredients. A good place to take mum for lunch, go out as a couple or for dinner with friends. You can also simply go for drinks in the bar during the off season.
15 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
North House
30 Sun HillNorth House hotel is a redeveloped version of the once (in)famous Rawlings Hotel (you were no one in Cowes until you'd skinny dipped in their pool at 2am). North House is a far more sedate re-incarnation but it's lovely (clearly borrowing with pride from the Soho House group). The restaurant offers small and large plates for lunch and dinner, often using locally sourced ingredients. A good place to take mum for lunch, go out as a couple or for dinner with friends. You can also simply go for drinks in the bar during the off season.
Getting Around
Buses are not particularly cheap on the Island, and they're certainly not quick. But they do offer a way to visit a range of places. The main terminus for Cowes is here at Carvel Lane.
Carvel Lane
Carvel LaneBuses are not particularly cheap on the Island, and they're certainly not quick. But they do offer a way to visit a range of places. The main terminus for Cowes is here at Carvel Lane.
The Cabin couldn't be more convenient for the Red Jet. And this is also where the taxi rank for the town is located, adjacent to the outside bar of the Fountain Hotel.
7 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
RedJet Terminal station
The Cabin couldn't be more convenient for the Red Jet. And this is also where the taxi rank for the town is located, adjacent to the outside bar of the Fountain Hotel.
Entertainment & Activities
Blackgang Chine is an Island family tradition. I've been going there since I was a child and our boys love it too. It's not for everyone - one family we took once thought it was really strange. But if you have, or enjoy, a quirky English sense of humour then its (admittedly eclectic) mix of cowboys, pirates, fairies and dinosaurs will be just the thing. As our friend's daughter once well said "well I do like dinosaurs ...but I like fairies too: I think I'll choose both".
122 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Blackgang Chine
Blackgang Chine is an Island family tradition. I've been going there since I was a child and our boys love it too. It's not for everyone - one family we took once thought it was really strange. But if you have, or enjoy, a quirky English sense of humour then its (admittedly eclectic) mix of cowboys, pirates, fairies and dinosaurs will be just the thing. As our friend's daughter once well said "well I do like dinosaurs ...but I like fairies too: I think I'll choose both".
Robin Hill is the other Island family staple. Both this and Blackgang Chine are now owned by the same company, so you can save money by buying an entrance ticket for both. The boys' favourites at this one are the toboggan ride (not suitable for small children), the (terrifying) swinging pirate ship and the play village. It's for a slightly older child. Toddlers will probably prefer Blackgang Chine.
103 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Robin Hill
Downend RoadRobin Hill is the other Island family staple. Both this and Blackgang Chine are now owned by the same company, so you can save money by buying an entrance ticket for both. The boys' favourites at this one are the toboggan ride (not suitable for small children), the (terrifying) swinging pirate ship and the play village. It's for a slightly older child. Toddlers will probably prefer Blackgang Chine.
An indoor trampoline park that is great for occupying kids on bad weather days. It's not particularly cheap (£10 each, plus trampoline socks at £1 each if you don't have these), and they don't offer discounts (other than 241 on Monday evenings) but it's my sons' new favourite place to go (rain or shine ...they're just obsessed with trampolining). PS. If the weather is bad it's worth booking to avoid disappointment https://www.islejump.co.uk/
Isle Jump
An indoor trampoline park that is great for occupying kids on bad weather days. It's not particularly cheap (£10 each, plus trampoline socks at £1 each if you don't have these), and they don't offer discounts (other than 241 on Monday evenings) but it's my sons' new favourite place to go (rain or shine ...they're just obsessed with trampolining). PS. If the weather is bad it's worth booking to avoid disappointment https://www.islejump.co.uk/
Essentials
This is where the M&S Foodstore is (although it's not coming up on the map!) A bit frivolous but sometimes you need to treat yourself and it's SO CLOSE. My sister can't live without the toffee meringue roulade in the freezer section, plus salted caramel sauce in the larder section. Open until 8pm Mon to Sat, and until 4pm on Sun.
Carvel Court
Carvel LaneThis is where the M&S Foodstore is (although it's not coming up on the map!) A bit frivolous but sometimes you need to treat yourself and it's SO CLOSE. My sister can't live without the toffee meringue roulade in the freezer section, plus salted caramel sauce in the larder section. Open until 8pm Mon to Sat, and until 4pm on Sun.
Parks & Nature
Start at Marsh Road and walk along the coast to Thorness, looking out for the wooden swing. Really beautiful views of the sea, and lots of cute little beach shacks dotted along the way.
Marsh Road
Marsh RoadStart at Marsh Road and walk along the coast to Thorness, looking out for the wooden swing. Really beautiful views of the sea, and lots of cute little beach shacks dotted along the way.
Owned by the National Trust, this sweeping bay, with views that stretch along the coast to Freshwater and Tennyson Down is just stunning. One of my favourite places, especially in the winter when it's quiet - but great too for family days out in the summer. Kids will love the sandy beach and gentle surf. Quite a climb down the steps so come prepared for exercise.
33 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Compton Bay
Owned by the National Trust, this sweeping bay, with views that stretch along the coast to Freshwater and Tennyson Down is just stunning. One of my favourite places, especially in the winter when it's quiet - but great too for family days out in the summer. Kids will love the sandy beach and gentle surf. Quite a climb down the steps so come prepared for exercise.
Arts & Culture
Growing up on the Island you don't realise how amazing Carisbrooke Castle is ...until you leave and are made to walk around other 'castles' that are basically just a pile of rubble. Carisbrooke knocks those inferior assortments of wall remnant into a cocked hat. The must-see elements here include the donkeys who help pull water from the well in a wheel, and the bowling green used by Charles I while he awaited execution. But there's so much to see. I also love the slightly oddball museum.
133 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Castillo de Carisbrooke
Castle HillGrowing up on the Island you don't realise how amazing Carisbrooke Castle is ...until you leave and are made to walk around other 'castles' that are basically just a pile of rubble. Carisbrooke knocks those inferior assortments of wall remnant into a cocked hat. The must-see elements here include the donkeys who help pull water from the well in a wheel, and the bowling green used by Charles I while he awaited execution. But there's so much to see. I also love the slightly oddball museum.