Cowes Port Handbook 2014-2015 April 2014 | Page 68

COWES PORT HANDBOOK 2014 - 2015

Cowes to East Cowes

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This walk takes you across the River Medina on the Chain Ferry, along
East Cowes Esplanade with its fine views of the Solent, and ends up at
Old Castle Point. Once you step off the Chain Ferry in East Cowes, turn
left down Castle Street. Pass the large Gridiron Shed on your left where
boats were built for hundreds of years and from where the first seaplane
was launched in 1913. Don’t miss the pretty Ship & Castle Inn on your
right-hand side, a small but very friendly local pub.
Cross over the roundabout and continue along Castle Street. The large
white building to your left is Columbine Yard, a great example of British
industrial architecture, built by Saunders-Roe in 1935 for the construction
of flying boats. It was also here that Sir Christopher Cockerell pioneered
designs for the world’s first hovercraft.
Turn left into Columbine Road with Venture Quays, housing the Classic
Boat Museum Gallery on your left, and the Classic Boat Museum (see
pages 62-63) just a short walk down Albany Road. On your right you will
see the Victoria Barracks which were built in 1872 and housed the troops
guarding Queen Victoria.

East Cowes beach

Walk down to the Esplanade from where Cowes Harbour and the busy
River Medina come back into sight. To your right are a row of Coastguard
Cottages dating from 1881. Beyond the Shrape Breakwater on your left
and just in front of the caravan park to your right, you will walk over the
site of an old rope walk that appears on the 1783 Admiralty Chart.
Continue along the Esplanade towards Castle Point. Easily accessible by
car, foot, and public transport links, the beach at East Cowes is popular
with residents and visitors. The traditional promenade has a large
children’s play area, café, woodland walks, and grand views of Cowes.
The Esplanade ends abruptly at a high wall which once formed part of the
boathouse for Norris Castle. This is a popular place in the early evening to
watch cruise liners leave Southampton Water and sail past East Cowes.
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