Famous for its yachting, Cowes comes
alive annually during the period around Cowes Week, then goes back to sleep until
the next one. The old part of the town, along and behind the waterfront, is still
attractive and interesting, in spite of past attempts to ruin it architecturally.
East and West Cowes take their names from 'cows', which were Tudor fortifications
erected on each side of the Medina estuary to guard the Solent against the prospect
of French invasion. Both 'cows' still exist; the West one having been incorporated
into the Royal Yacht Squadron. Northwood House, a fine Palladian mansion in Northwood
Park, was donated by its then owner, George Ward, to the people of Cowes, it suffered
the ignominious fate of becoming Council offices, and large chunks of the Park
were sold off for development.
Cowes was originally one of the termini for
the Island railway system, much of which was sadly 'Beechinged', but the old line
can still be accessed near the 'Kingston Arms' and provides an attractive route
to Newport for cyclists or walkers. Walkers might also enjoy the shore road to
Gurnard.
List of Pubs
(click on pub name)
ALAMO
ANCHOR INN
BAR ONE
DUKE OF YORK
FOUNTAIN
HOTEL
GLOBE INN
KINGSTON ARMS
PAINTERS ARMS
PIER VIEW
UNION INN
VECTIS TAVERN
WATERSIDE
ALAMO
Shooters Hill
01983 298754
Bus Route 1,2,3,3A,3C,32,33,Cowes
Loop
Opening Times Vary
No Real Ale
A pleasant single bar and restaurant,
situated at the beginning of the High Street. Very popular at the weekends, when
the regular cliental is supplemented by the visiting yachtsmen and woman.
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ANCHOR INN
1 High Street
01983 292823
www.anchorcowes.co.uk
Bus Route 1,2,3,3A,3C,32,33,Cowes
Loop
Opposite Somerfield
Supermarket
Weekdays 11-11 Sat
11-11 Sun 12-10.30
Fullers London Pride
Goddard’s Fuggle de Dum
Badger Tanglefoot
Wadworth 6x
Flowers Original
Guest Ales
This High Street pub, originally ‘The Trumpeters’, back in 1704, is well placed
adjacent to the Marina to tempt the visiting yachtsman for their first pint ashore.
Hugely popular during the summer months, the recent conversion has integrated
the stables and created a pleasant beer garden with instant cover to cope with
the summer showers. A fine selection of beer is always in prime condition with
a good selection of fresh food to satisfy the inner needs. Live entertainment
is provided weekends in the winter and most evenings in the summer. The recent
addition of bed and board has been well received in this bustling pub.
Public
car park nearby
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BAR ONE
55 Cross Street
01983 82227
Bus Route 1,2,3,3A,3C,32,33,Cowes Loop
Weekdays 5 – 11 Sat 11 –
11 Sun 12 – 10.30
No Real Ale
Don’t be mislead by the bland exterior,
inside you will find a very nice young persons sports bar. You will find a pleasant
bar area with settees and plenty of standing room, with a large TV for all the
sports presentations. Up a few steps is a dedicated games area with two nine ball
and two pool tables. The outside area has been designated a “Town Square” and
work is soon to start on its creation. Occasional live music.
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DUKE OF YORK
Mill Hill Road
01983
295171
Bus Route 1,2,3,3A,3C,32,33,Cowes Loop
Opposite the
local cop shop
Weekdays 11-11 Sat 11-11 Sun 12-10.30
Morland Old Speckled
Hen
Guest
Popular street-corner town pub, which has enhanced its reputation
by serving interesting and appetising freshly, prepared food. From the moment
you walk in the door there is an air of charm with memorabilia and signs celebrating
Cowes and its association with yachting and the sea. There is a charming off bar
executive come meeting room with a mural and leather chairs, just the place for
that business discussion or intimate tete a tete. Well-priced accommodation is
available for that cosy weekend away. The beer range although not large, you can
guarantee will always be in tiptop condition.
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FOUNTAIN HOTEL
High Street
01983 292397
Bus Route 1,2,3,3A,3C,32,33,Cowes Loop
High Street
by the Red Funnel Ferry
Weekdays 10.30 - 11 Sat 10.30 - 11 Sun 12-10.30
Greene King Abbott
Greene King IPA
Old Speckled Hen
Pleasant
town-centre hotel, enviably situated overlooking Cowes Harbour and adjacent to
the ferry terminal. Recently refurbished into a more sophisticated drinking experience
with armchairs and cosy corners. Out-door drinking and eating area.
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GLOBE INN
The Parade
PLEASE NOTE -
THIS PUB HAS CLOSED
AND WILL SOON OPEN AS
A CHINESE RESTAURANT
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KINGSTON ARMS
176 Newport Road
01983 293393
Bus Route 2
On main Cowes - Newport
road as you leave Cowes
Mon-Thurs 11 – 2.30, 6 - 11 Fri-Sat 11 - 11 Sun 12-4,
7-10.30
Gales HSB
Guest Beers
On the main road out of Cowes
towards Newport, you cannot miss the Kingston Arms. Friendly family and locals
pub near to the yachting centre and offering good value bed and breakfast accommodation.
A lively Public Bar with darts, pool, petanque and any other variety of game that
takes your fancy. Beer always in good order with an interesting variety of guest
ales.
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PAINTERS ARMS
51 Cross Street
01983 297229
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/Andrew_Moore/Index
Bus Route 1,2,3,3A,3C,32,33,Cowes Loop
On the main town centre
car park
Weekdays 11-11 Sat 11-11 Sun 12-10.30
NO REAL ALE
Traditional
town pub, popular with young and old alike. Plenty of friendly banter and loud
music from the juke box. Interesting building.
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PIER VIEW
25 High Street
01983 294929
Bus Route 1,2,3,3A,3C,32,33,Cowes
Loop
Opposite ferry terminal
Weekdays 11-11 Sat 11-11 Sun 12-10.30
Special SUMMER
Greene King IPA
Wadworth 6X
Fullers London Pride
Guest
Busy one bar free house in the busiest part of the high street.
Very popular with the young yachties where it has a good reputation for good honest
home cooked food. During exceptionally high tides, especially after a heavy shower,
make sure you bring your wellies, as the water has been known to reach the door.
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UNION INN
Watch Hse Lane
01983
293163
Bus Route 1,2,3,3A,3C,32,33,Cowes Loop
Just off the
parade towards the High Street
Summer 10.30-11
Winter 10.30 – 3, 6 - 11
Sun 12 – 10.30
Gales Best,
Gales HSB
Gales GB
Guest
Summer
A tastefully decorated town pub, just off the Parade and yards
from the sea. One three sided bar services the lounge, a snug, a dining area and
the airy conservatory that had originally been the yard. Limited beer range will
always be found to be in tiptop condition with a guest ale from the Gales portfolio
during the summer months. A roaring fire in the winter adds to the overall cosy
atmosphere. The long established landlord has acquired a following for the good
value accommodation in both the winter and summer months. Maritime pictures compliment
the seafaring image.
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VECTIS TAVERN
103, High Street
01983 298439
Bus Route 1,2,3,3A,3C,32,33,Cowes Loop
By
Red Funnel terminal
Weekdays 11-11 Sat 11-11 Sun 12-10.30
A nicely refurbished one bar pub, formerly
the Robin Hood.
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WATERSIDE
72a High Street
01983 293269
Bus Route 1,2,3,3A,3C,32,33,Cowes
Loop
Weekdays 11-11 Sat 11-11 Sun 12-10.30
London Pride
Bass
Superb
location at the waters edge, with up-stairs balcony and views overlooking the
harbour. Formerly known as the Harbour Lights, a recent conversion has turned
this much-improved building into a swish family pub. The single bar services three
distinct areas all with comfortable sofas and armchairs as well as tables and
chairs for eating. Soft music and a Pizza restaurant make this a must for the
whole family.
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