Best direction to approach Cowes --East or West

[burgundyben]

For breakfast there's a good traditional cafe on the right, about halfway to the Squadron ( which is always worth a walk for the view and the 40 brass cannon ).

That cafe is Eegons, there is rumours of it closing, but I think still open, not been in Cowes for a few weeks. But I find Sails cafe next door to Sainsbury's to be much nicer. People rave about Coast just along from there, but I find it a bit pretentious.

Just up the hill a few yards, on the left, before the Italian restaurant, is Cowes Ale House, very nice place to have a pint of real beer.

Yes, lovely to walk along to the cannons, keep going all the way to Gurnard, nice cafe there too, just being rebuilt and the Woodvale pub is passable.

 

[Seajet]

Burgundyben,

is that pretentious place on the left still going, where for a handsome fee they give you some bread and point to a toaster to make your own breakfast ? If it is there's no justice.

We walked in, saw the deal and did the fastest 180 in history...

 

[ashtead]

Coast is fairly dog friendly ifcanine crew are well behaved. You can sit near the bar and have a drink and snack and the staff in afternoon and always seem friendly and busy but each to their own. The other option if you don’t want to walk too far is to go into Shepherds marina and avid the yacht haven charter boats and try the tapas bar or York tavern if pub grub is more to taste .

 

[Seajet]

For Cowes it's East Cowes Marina every time for me, far quiter, calmer and less posers than the West Cowes places - just try to keep tabs on whether the new chain ferry is working, if so remember to take party poppers to let off if you make the other side, I'm sure the crew never tire of that

Actually using E Cowes and the short walks to the ' floating bridge ' then into Cowes are quite interesting and give a feel for the sailing history of the place.

If arriving early, or on leaving if tide suits, it would be worth a motor up the Medina to the Folly to get more flavour of the sailing history, but not stop there this time if collecting crew.

 

[anoccasionalyachtsman]

Coast is fairly dog friendly ifcanine crew are well behaved. You can sit near the bar and have a drink and snack and the staff in afternoon and always seem friendly and busy but each to their own. The other option if you don’t want to walk too far is to go into Shepherds marina and avid the yacht haven charter boats and try the tapas bar or York tavern if pub grub is more to taste .

That's handy to know - we like Coast (because I am extremely pretentious, as you'll remember Ben), and will take the new hound next time.

 

[burgundyben]

That's handy to know - we like Coast (because I am extremely pretentious, as you'll remember Ben), and will take the new hound next time.

Ha ha! Actually, its me being fussy, Coast is run by 2 chaps that also run North House, I just love North House, but can't stand Coast.

Sails does eggs benedict to die for which is a big hit for me.

The Island has a great foody scene, much less of the big corporate food chain rubbish and some real gems pubs and restaurants.

 

[burgundyben]

I suppose this trip is unlikely now.

Once it all blows over, the Island has lots to offer.

 

[Daydream believer]

I suppose this trip is unlikely now.

Once it all blows over, the Island has lots to offer.

All cancelled, I would imagine. Do not think any recovery of money likely either, but family will ask. My wife had also booked a caravan park weekend with my daughter on the east coast for April & that has shut. Before she even asked, they emailed & offered 2 options. Full refund or 20% voucher extra on a holiday next year. Pretty decent not to have to chase, we thought. She is waiting for daughter to decide what option to take.

 

[Daydream believer]

The Island has a great foody scene, much less of the big corporate food chain rubbish and some real gems pubs and restaurants.

24 years ago I had a contract with English Heritage to install a flight of stairs up the wall of Carrisbrooke castle, by the tea room. I took 3 blokes to do the installation & we stayed in a hotel for a couple of days. We visited a "recommended" greasy spoon that was supposed to serve the largest breakfasts in the country. It was just a load of "muck" splodged on a plate. Most of it could not be eaten & the waste was incredible. Our, large, lorry driver, who delivered the components, ordered a full breakfast. We all watched him try to eat the lot, but he could not , inspite of , doing an impression of the Vicar of Dibley eating Brussel sprouts.
Apparently it had been featured on TV and was quite famous . Not sure why. I often wondered if it was still going.

 

[burgundyben]

24 years ago I had a contract with English Heritage to install a flight of stairs up the wall of Carrisbrooke castle, by the tea room. I took 3 blokes to do the installation & we stayed in a hotel for a couple of days. We visited a "recommended" greasy spoon that was supposed to serve the largest breakfasts in the country. It was just a load of "muck" splodged on a plate. most of it could not be eaten & the waste was incredible. Apparently it had been featured on TV and was quite famous . Not sure why. I often wondered if it was still going.

If it was close to Carisbrooke Castle, that would have been the Castle View Cafe. I first went there in Easter 1987 on my Lambretta while over here for the scooter rally!

It was a proper greasy spoon, I recall the fried bread being a chunk of bloomer that had been in the deep fat fryer. Like a giant oily sponge.

No longer going.

If you fancy a greasy spoon in Cowes, then Eegons is still going. Just a few doors along from Island Sailing Club.

 

[Daydream believer]

If it was close to Carisbrooke Castle, that would have been the Castle View Cafe. I first went there in Easter 1987 on my Lambretta while over here for the scooter rally!

It was a proper greasy spoon, I recall the fried bread being a chunk of bloomer that had been in the deep fat fryer. Like a giant oily sponge.

No longer going.

If you fancy a greasy spoon in Cowes, then Eegons is still going. Just a few doors along from Island Sailing Club.

That is the one. The locals seemed really proud of it. I am sure that forumites have fond!!!! memories somewhere in the memory database

 

[burgundyben]

That is the one. The locals seemed really proud of it. I am sure that forumites have fond!!!! memories somewhere in the memory database

I doubt many forumites got there, access by boat not so easy! It would be a fair walk from Newport Quay.

Forumites will be more familiar with Eegons in Cowes which is more comparable.