Cowes Port Handbook 2014-2015 April 2014

COWES PORT HANDBOOK 2014 - 2015 Cowes & East Cowes - History .................................................... Cowes and East Cowes face each other over the River Medina at the northern-most tip of the Isle of Wight and are linked by a Chain Ferry affectionately known as the ‘Floating Bridge’, one of only a handful still operating in the UK. Royal Yacht Squadron Originally, the name ‘Cowes’ is thought to be derived from the ‘cow castles’ that were built by Henry VIII as part of his 16th-century fortification of the Solent area, although the place name existed for a long time before the castles were constructed. The Royal Yacht Squadron has made its home in the remaining castle on the west side of the River Medina and ‘Cowes Castle’ has become a landmark in its own right since the club moved there in 1858. Royal connections are widespread on the Isle of Wight and nowhere more so than East Cowes, the home to Queen Victoria and her beloved Prince Albert who built the magnificent Osborne House between 1845 and 1851. Osborne became their family home and Queen Victoria lived there until her death on the Island in 1901. English Heritage now runs Osborne Queen Victoria’s beach 62 COWES.co.uk English Heritage

Cowes Port Handbook 2014-2015 April 2014 | Page 62