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Bembridge - Resort and natural harbour at the eastern end of the Isle of Wight. Unusual feature is the oldest working telephone box in the UK. Shipwreck Museum. Windmill nearby. Cowes - Cowes Week Welcome to Cowes Week- Skandia Life Cowes Week
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Cowes is the world capital of yachting, on the estuary of the River Medina. Every yachtsman has heard of it, mainly due to its week long annual yachting festival known as Cowes Week. In fact yachts and their allied trades permeate every strand of Cowes life. The town was built originally around a fort that Henry VIII had built called, West Cowe. With a little patronage from later members of the royal family who sailed, Cowes became the world's premier yachting venue. With its distinctive round tower, the Royal Yacht Squadron is the premier yachting club in Cowes. Situated at the western end of the parade it becomes a natural magnet during Cowes Week. The yacht racing is controlled from here, and you can often spot a real life Royal. Cowes is made up of two halves connected by a ferry service. There is also a frequent ferry service to and from Southampton provided by Red Funnel. The narrow strip close to the marinas (known to Estate Agents as the Old town), which has the larger more expensive houses, the rest of the town is made up largely of small terraced houses. Cowes is perfect for stroll around during the summer, even the sea is busy with boat traffic. There is also the Maritime Museum, nearby Parkhurst Forest, and on east side of River is Osborne House, the palace built for Victoria and Albert. Cowes is home of the world famous nautical photographers Beken. East Cowes - The partner of West Cowes on the River Medina at the northern point of the Island. Connected by ferry service to the main shopping centre and yachting side of Cowes. Nearby is Osborne House, the palace built for Victoria and Albert. Freshwater - Curious straggling settlement at the western end of the Isle of Wight with a very attractive bay sited between cliffs. Home of Tennyson, and Cameron one of the pioneers of portrait photography. Excellent walk over Tennyson down to the Needles.
Isle of Wight
town guide.
Newport - Newport is the Isle of Wight’s county town, and is situated in the centre of the island. This market town sits on the edge of the River Medina, and is popular with visitors to the Isle of Wight for its shopping facilities. Just outside the town is the dramatic Carisbrooke Castle. King Charles I was held prisoner here before his execution in 1649. Other places of interest in the area include the Classic Boat Museum, and Robin Hill - where there are lots of fun things to do. Although Newport is not on the coast, the river offers opportunities for many water sports. At the Medina Valley Centre there are courses in sailing, as well as an assortment of other leisure activities. Ryde - Large Regency and Victorian resort on the north eastern coast of the Isle of Wight. Very long pier which carries railway trains to meet ferries from Portsmouth. Hovercrafts also bring passengers across the Solent from Southsea. Sandy beaches. Sandown - Large resort, neighbouring Shanklin. Beach and Pier. Geology museum and theatre. Nearby are the Isle of Wight zoo and Culver Cliff offering views back across Sandown Bay. Seaview - Village resort deveoped in Victorian times, located between Ryde and Bembridge. Sandy beach facing Portsmouth and Southsea across Spithead. Nearby is a bird park. Shanklin - Seaside resort between Sandown and Ventnor with sandy beaches at foot of cliff, accessible by chines or wooded valleys. Old world village centre includes attractive ?Crab Hotel'. Shanklin is the terminus of the Island's railway line from Ryde. Totland Bay - Small resort at the western end of the Isle of Wight, with beach looking over to Hurst Spit, and close to Alum Bay, famous for its multicoloured sands, and the Needles. Ventnor - Small resort on the south side of the Isle of Wight. Built on steep cliffs and hills. Victorian development. Dramatic local walks, with cliffs frequently subject to small landslides. Very mild climate. Botanic gardens. Yarmouth - Small port on the south west coast of the Isle of Wight, with marina on the Yar, and small Henry VIII castle. Car ferry service from Lymington across the Solent. A footpath walk up the valley of the Yar leads to Freshwater. Nearby Fort Victoria contains an aquarium.
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