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Local area guide

Living in Cowes

Thinking about moving to Cowes? Discover why it's a great place to live, fun things to do here, what the local schools and transport connections are like - and of course the most important thing of all: how much houses cost to buy.

Your guide to moving to Cowes

Why Cowes is a good place to live

Living in Cowes delivers the charm of coastal life backed by the hustle and bustle of a vibrant town. Enjoy the beautiful Solent views or explore the local beaches. The town is conveniently located at the closest point to the mainland, providing easy access for those moving to Cowes. With a contrast of modern amenities and the historic charm of the Old Town, there's no shortage of things to see and do. Furthermore, a variety of housing options fit various budgets, making Cowes an offer one can't ignore.

What's Cowes famous for?

Cowes is famous for hosting Cowes Week, one of the world's oldest sailing regattas that brings a lot of activity and excitement. This cements Cowes' reputation for its strong maritime heritage. In addition, Cowes also had close ties with Queen Victoria who had a residence nearby, adding a royal touch to its fame.

Things to do in Cowes

Whether you love the sea, outdoor activities or cultural experiences, there're numerous things to do in Cowes that would fill your days with enthusiasm. You can try sailing and watersports, play golf, relax at local beaches, or soak up the history at Sir Max Aitken Museum. Explore local delicacies at The Basque Kitchen or The Little Gloster in Gurnard after a day of fun and activity. And if you're in town during October, don't forget to attend the Isle of Wight Literary Festival or the Cowes Week Gin Festival!

We have used a bespoke generative AI model to help us research and create our area guides. All of our content is reviewed, and edited where needed, by our trusted team of Zoopla content editors.

Average asking prices in Cowes today

We update our average asking prices every day using data from millions of properties for sale.

Terraced

Avg. asking price

£375,000

49 properties for sale

Detached

Avg. asking price

£490,000

66 properties for sale

Semi-detached

Avg. asking price

£340,000

38 properties for sale

Flats

Avg. asking price

£299,000

40 properties for sale

Properties currently for sale in Cowes

Whether you're looking to buy a family home or a beautiful apartment, we've got you covered.

Transport in Cowes

Find the nearest train stations and other transport links in Cowes.

Local connections

West Cowes Ferry Terminal
Ferry Port
0.1 miles / 0.2 km
West Cowes Floating Bridge
Ferry Port
0.4 miles / 0.6 km
East Cowes Ferry Terminal
Ferry Port
0.5 miles / 0.8 km
Ryde Pier Head
National Rail
6.3 miles / 10.1 km
Ryde Esplanade
National Rail
6.4 miles / 10.3 km
Ryde St Johns Road
National Rail
6.8 miles / 10.9 km

Schools in Cowes

Discover local primary schools, secondary schools and sixth form colleges in Cowes.

Education in Cowes

Cowes Enterprise College, An Ormiston Academy
Ages: 11 - 19 years old
Ofsted Rating: Good (2023)
Cowes Primary School
Ages: 5 - 11 years old
Ofsted Rating: Good (2020)
Lanesend Primary School
Ages: 4 - 11 years old
Ofsted Rating: Requires improvement (2022)
Holy Cross Catholic Primary School
Ages: 5 - 11 years old
Ofsted Rating: Requires improvement (2023)
Gurnard Primary School
Ages: 4 - 11 years old
Ofsted Rating: Good (2019)
Queensgate Foundation Primary
Ages: 4 - 11 years old
Ofsted Rating: Good (2019)

Local pubs in Cowes

In partnership with
useyourlocal

  • Vectis Tavern

    Cowes, Isle of Wight, PO31

    We look forwarding to welcoming you to the Islands 1st Bottoms Up pub. Open until 2am and hosting Karaoke, Live Music, Cocktails and Shots

  • Fountain Inn

    Cowes, Isle of Wight, PO31

    Situated in the heart of Cowes, the Fountain Inn is renowned as a great central meeting point for locals, holidaymakers and the yachting fraternity alike.

  • Union Inn

    Cowes, Isle of Wight, PO31

    The family run Union Inn is situated in the famous yachting town of Cowes just 100 yards from the sea front. Over the years we have built up a reputation for quality home cooked meals, locally produced beers and a selection of wines and other beverages.

  • Globe Hotel

    Cowes, Isle of Wight, PO31

    The Globe is an independent, family run bar linked to the Union Inn. Watching the boats go by with a great glass of wine is simply a delight.

  • Anchor Inn

    Cowes, Isle of Wight, PO31

    The ideal place to relax after a hard day on the water. The Anchor offers excellent food, award winning ales and a warm welcome throughout the year.