landmark
Buckler’s Hard
A single Georgian street running down to the Beaulieu River, built as a shipbuilding village that supplied Nelson's navy.
10 km · about 20 min drive
EuropeUnited KingdomEngland
East Cowes
England, United Kingdom · Europe
About East Cowes
East Cowes works well as a base: 10 minutes from Wootton, 15km from Military Road, Isle of Wight.
East Cowes is in England, United Kingdom, with about 8,400 people. You drive on the left here. The nearest town is Wootton, about 5 km away.
East Cowes is a town and civil parish in the north of the Isle of Wight, on the east bank of the River Medina, next to its west bank neighbour Cowes. It has a population of 8,428 according to the 2021 Census.
The two towns are connected by the Cowes Floating Bridge, a chain ferry operated by the Isle of WightRead more
Council.
East Cowes is the site of Norris Castle, and Osborne House, the former summer residence of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. The Prince had a major influence on the architecture of the area, for example on the building of St Mildred's Church in nearby Whippingham, which features distinctive turrets imitating those found on a German castle.
Where to Stay in East Cowes
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near East Cowes?
Within an hour or so of East Cowes: Buckler’s Hard (10 km), Beaulieu (13 km), National Motor Museum Beaulieu (14 km), Military Road, Isle of Wight (15 km).
Are there any good drives near East Cowes?
The nearest famous roads are Military Road, Isle of Wight, Rhinefield Ornamental Drive and Goodwood Festival of Speed.
Where is East Cowes?
East Cowes is in England, United Kingdom, about 5 km from Wootton.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 8,428
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Region
- England
- Timezone
- Europe/London
- Coordinates
- 50.7577, -1.2881
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in United Kingdom
112 also works. NHS non-emergency medical advice: 111. National Highways breakdown assistance on motorways: 0300 123 5000.
Full driving guide for United KingdomTags
Worth the detour from East Cowes
8 notable places within an hour's drive.
landmark
Beaulieu
A New Forest village around a 13th-century abbey and the Montagu estate, at the head of the tidal Beaulieu River.
13 km · about 25 min drive
museum
National Motor Museum Beaulieu
Set in the grounds of a historic abbey, it houses over 250 vehicles telling the story of motoring from 1893 to the present.
14 km · about 25 min drive
famous road
Military Road, Isle of Wight
Thrilling clifftop road along the southwest coast of the Isle of Wight with sweeping sea views and access to dramatic landslip scenery.
15 km · about 30 min drive
natural wonder
The Needles, Isle of Wight
Three distinctive chalk sea stacks rising from the sea off the western tip of the Isle of Wight, topped by a red-and-white striped lighthouse.
24 km · about 25 min drive
national park
New Forest National Park
Ancient royal hunting ground where wild ponies and deer roam freely through 219 square miles of heathland, woodland and coastal marshes.
25 km · about 30 min drive
famous road
Rhinefield Ornamental Drive
A New Forest road lined with giant redwoods and Douglas firs planted in 1859, running between Brockenhurst and the A35.
25 km · about 30 min drive
landmark
Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum
A remarkable collection of rare and unique motorcycles in the New Forest assembled by legendary trials rider Sammy Miller.
27 km · about 30 min drive
Driving roads near East Cowes
- Right hereMilitary Road, Isle of WightThrilling clifftop road along the southwest coast of the Isle of Wight with sweeping sea views and access to dramatic landslip scenery.
- 25 kmRhinefield Ornamental DriveA New Forest road lined with giant redwoods and Douglas firs planted in 1859, running between Brockenhurst and the A35.
- 41 kmGoodwood Festival of SpeedThe hillclimb course on the Goodwood estate driveway where Formula One cars, prewar Grand Prix machinery and rally legends run flat out past a country house each summer. The 1.16-mile course is estate road year-round.
- 50 kmBallard DownThe chalk ridge above Swanage running out to Old Harry Rocks, with views over Poole Harbour and Studland Bay.
- 79 kmLeith HillThe highest point in south-east England at 294 m, its 18th-century tower taking visitors just above the 1,000-foot mark.
Driving in United Kingdom
- Drives on
- the left
- Petrol
- ~€1.73/litre
- Motorway tolls
- None
When to drive here
April to October
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