[4] The two towns are connected by the Cowes Floating Bridge, a chain ferry operated by the Isle of Wight Council.

East Cowes is the site of Norris Castle, and Osborne House, the former summer residence of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.

The Prince had a major influence on the architecture of the area, for example on the building of St Mildred's Church in nearby Whippingham, which features distinctive turrets imitating those found on a German castle.

In East Cowes Norris Castle was designed in the Norman style by James Wyatt in the late eighteenth century.

In 1798, the architect John Nash, began building his home, East Cowes Castle, where he later entertained the Prince Consort and other prominent guests.

The shipyard of J. Samuel White was badly damaged by air attack in early May 1942 but, when rebuilt, innovative ship construction methods had been introduced.

[6] To celebrate the Silver Jubilee of the Queen's coronation in 1977, the main hangar doors of what was then the British Hovercraft Corporation (a successor to Saunders Roe) were painted with the world's largest image of the Union Jack, which can still be seen today.

[7] In January 2015, the car carrier MV Hoegh Osaka bound for Bremerhaven, Germany, ran aground on Bramble Bank after developing a heavy list, roughly five miles (eight kilometres) north of the entrance to the River Medina.

Part of the redevelopment also included the building of more houses known as "Victoria Walk" and David Wilson[10] was chosen to be the builder.

[11] During December 2010, under a cost-cutting plan by the Isle of Wight Council it was decided most local libraries across the Island would close in March 2011, with just Newport and Ryde remaining open.

Sandown, Cowes, Ventnor & Freshwater remained open until March 2012, during which time community groups were sought to continue the upkeep and running of the libraries.