Cowes

Cowes occupies the Isle of Wight's northern tip, reached by car ferry from Portsmouth (via A3054/A3020) or Southampton (Red Funnel direct to East Cowes). The chain ferry links both sides of the River Medina every few minutes. During Cowes Week in August, the narrow Victorian streets become particularly busy. The Royal Yacht Squadron's castle clubhouse still fires its historic cannons to start yacht races, just as it has since 1815.