•  Cowes, the Isle of Wight

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In 1887, John Bartholomew's Gazetteer of the British Isles described Cowes like this:

Cowes, seaport town and seaside resort, with ry. sta., N. coast Isle of Wight, 4 m. N. of Newport and 94 m. SW. of London; 2 Banks, 1 newspaper. Market-days, Tues., Thurs., and Sat.; consists of West Cowes, on left bank of Medina estuary, pop. 6772; P.O., T.O., called Cowes; and East Cowes, on right bank of Medina estuary, pop. ...

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2512; P.O., T.O. A steam ferry across the Medina, here 600 yards broad, connects East Cowes and West Cowes, and there is steam communication with Eyde, Southampton, and Portsmouth, each distant about 11 miles. The port is the chief one of the island, and is the headquarters of the Royal Yacht Squadron. (For shipping statistics, see Appendix.) The shipbuilding yards formerly turned out men-of-war of the largest class, but their efforts are now confined to smaller naval vessels and to yachts of the finest form. Most of the inhabitants are employed in the shipbuilding yards, or in the iron foundries, roperies, and sail-making establishments. East C. and West C. owe their origin to 2 forts built by Henry VIII., in 1540. The West fort, or castle, still remains, and close to it are the Marine Parade and the public promenade called The Green. In the vicinity of the town are numerous elegant villas and seats, including Osborne House (1845), the Isle of Wight residence of Queen Victoria.

Cowes through time

Cowes is now part of the Isle of Wight district. Click here for graphs and data of how the Isle of Wight has changed over two centuries. For statistics about Cowes itself, go to Units and Statistics.

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