Cowes Port Handbook 2014-2015 April 2014 | Page 56

COWES PORT HANDBOOK 2014 - 2015

Landmarks of Cowes
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There are several instantly recognisable landmarks in Cowes; here is a
selection of the best known, ranging from historic houses and pubs to
castles and cranes.

Royal Yacht Squadron

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Rick Tomlinson

One of the most famous local landmarks is ‘Cowes Castle’, home to the
Royal Yacht Squadron which was founded in 1815 as a club for gentlemen
interested in sea yachting. From the water, the yachtsman sees the
Squadron Castle as battlements, a round tower, and a flagstaff. Behind
the history of yachting is another history too, for Henry VIII had the castle
built in 1539 as a deterrent to the French. Its former guns are only once
known to have been fired in anger, in 1642 during the Civil War.

Prince’s Green

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Prince’s Green, also known as ‘The Green’, is by far the best place to watch
racing action from the shore. Race starts frequently take place from the
Royal Yacht Squadron and during Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes
Week race fleets often
finish under spinnaker from
the west. Prince’s Green
was presented to Cowes
as a public open space
by George Stephenson in
1863 to mark the occasion
of the wedding of the
Prince of Wales (the future
Edward VII) to Princess
Alexandra of Denmark.
It still has shelters and a
drinking fountain dating
Rick Tomlinson
from Victorian times.
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