Destination Cowes

Cowes is a shining example of how the high street can thrive, and there’s a real sense of community in the town. It’s easy to spend a day meandering around the fantastic independent shops, eateries, galleries, and watching the boats go by.

Every establishment we visited strives to show customers something special and different, with owners and employees proud and passionate about what they provide. We also discovered that once you step inside, you’ll almost always find more than you’d expect.

Birmingham Road, at the southern end of the high street, is home to BeCalmed. Customers can invariably expect a warm welcome from spa manager Claire Bannister, and leave their stresses at the door to relax in this tranquil space for some well-deserved pampering.

Therapist Ginta Courtney, one of several team members who’ve recently completed ESPA training to become qualified skincare specialists, says, “A lot of people had forgotten they used to take time for themselves, so it’s lovely to see people now getting back into a routine of self-care, and to start feeling like themselves again.”

New treatments include the Genie Take Ten Facelift, a completely

Relax in comfort at BeCalmed Seafood heaven at the Smoking Lobster Spring palettes lift the spirits at Mia

natural facial using electric current giving instant results, and an Inner Calm Massage, with aromatherapy body oils personalised to your physical and emotional needs. You can even start with a relaxing infrared sauna, to relieve your tension. Their ESPA range of skincare uses the highest quality natural ingredients and essential oils from around the world, with most products being vegan too. A bustling gateway for visitors from around the world, Cowes Yacht Haven is at the heart of sailing in Cowes, and is now owned by Cowes Waterfront Trust, a charity dedicated to investing money into the local waterfront to improve the area for all. It’s always worth taking a short detour off the high street just to see what’s going on. This prestigious waterside events venue will be opening its Terrace bar soon. With stunning harbour views, it’s the perfect venue for a chilled sundowner, private parties, and lazy champagne afternoons. Tasty fresh food can be found at pop-up restaurant Pontoon View, which returns from April to September. The impressively large events centre is available for corporate or private hire, hosting everything from sailing regattas to boxing, balls and children’s events. For sailors, the Marina offers fully serviced berths, and the boatyard provides storage and launch services. With plenty of fantastic eateries to choose from in Cowes, one of the current hottest venues has to be Smoking Lobster. Owner and chef GC Giancovich, along with sister Cinz Reckitt and team, showcase delicious traditional Japanese cooking using locally sourced sustainable produce. The new menu features mouthwatering seafood dishes packed with Asian flavours, and every plate looks as good as it tastes. Tempting choices include Yuzu Miso black cod, hijiiki salad and tempura asparagus, Koji aged fillet of beef tartare, or Tempura lobster, fermented lettuce relish and chilli squid ink bao sliders, with a tasting menu also available. Book for Mother’s Day and receive a free yuzu gin, coconut and physalis sour cocktail for mum. You can also take advantage of the set lunch menu at £20 for two courses, or £25 for three courses, available until the Easter holidays. Spring is in the air at fashion boutique Mia, where clothes are presented in complementary colour palettes; stylish bags, shoes and accessories are displayed alongside fresh cut flowers, and friendly staff are on hand for any advice you need. Owner Maria Guy began working in fashion aged 18,

Seeds for spring sowing at Hurst’s Shorelines of Cowes has gifts galore Old-world charm at Aqua Marine

rising to head of buying at House of Fraser before establishing Mia. Her wealth of experience and constant research to select pieces she knows her customers will love has ensured Mia’s success. The boutique is all about individual styling for all ages. Cowes branch manager Elaine Slade and team will happily spend however long it takes helping customers find what suits them, with no pressure. “We love helping customers play around to see what styles work, and we’re always honest – if doesn’t look right we’ll say. We want customers to leave feeling confident, and for people to admire what they’re wearing.” Hurst’s is one of the best-known local stores, first trading as an Ironmonger in 1859. Selling almost anything you need for the home and garden, the Cowes branch also offers niche products, like fixings and shackles for running repairs on boats. You can always rely on fantastic customer service, and shop manager Adam Wright and his team will go out of their way to help. Whether you want a gift, a screwdriver, wine glasses, a barbecue or a USB charger, every shelf is packed with useful things; and if they don’t have what you want, they’ll try to get it for you. Drawing you in with bright greetings cards strung up in the windows like bunting, Shorelines of Cowes is filled with a diverse array of gift ideas. Shop assistant Paula Rowlings says, “We’re part of a strong community in Cowes, and local shops put effort into selling things that others don’t stock. You’ll find plenty of interesting shops like ours, all trying to be different.” The eclectic stock includes a huge collection of soft, quirky Jellycat toys, Chilly’s innovative water bottles in a rainbow of colours, and luxury Turtle Doves recycled cashmere fingerless gloves and accessories. Find pictures by local artists, cards from local suppliers, and they also offer key cutting, engraving, and a bespoke framing service for pretty much anything you wish to frame. Eleanor Olson promotes upcycling and sustainability in Aqua Marine at 49 High Street, with all manner of gift ideas and pretty things wherever you look. We discovered the gorgeous colourful jewellery range is handmade by Eleanor herself, often by recycling old pieces, and she also transforms leftover beads into pretty charms for zips and phones. You can commission her to make jewellery in the colour and style you want, with no obligation. Vintage tea sets and tableware — perfect for an Easter tea party or special occasion — are available for sale or hire, and Eleanor recycles any broken crockery to create decorative

Lose yourself in literature at Medina Bookshop Refuel and relax at Manny’s Baguette’s Explore life afloat at UKSA

mosaic pictures. There are eco-friendly cards for all occasions, with giftware including organic perfumes from India and travel towels made from bamboo. The shop also serves as the Cowes Tourist Information Point. Right next door, Medina Bookshop is a treasure, and it is clear that customers love spending time here. The wellstocked shelves carry a bespoke selection of books to browse, from romantic fiction to thrillers, speciality maritime books and an Isle of Wight section. Book seller Paul Armfield says, “We really benefit from being a small, independent bookshop, because we can choose what we think are good books. We’re happy to give recommendations, and if customers can’t find what they want, we’ll order it in.” This cosy bookshop has also become quite a community hub, where people can gather to listen to talks from authors, buy evening tickets to music Mondays, children can read in their own little tepee, local artists exhibit on the walls, and it has a successful publishing side too, recently launching ‘Out on an Island’, documenting local hidden LGBTQ+ history. Near the end of the high street you’ll find Manny’s Baguettes, home of owner Manny Coelho’s famed ‘Pasteis de Nata’. We devoured these delicious Portuguese custard tarts fresh from the oven, and they didn’t disappoint. Manny originated from Madeira, and his sunny disposition makes this a welcoming place to stop for a chat, or to simply watch the world go by. The menu includes freshly made baguettes, salad bowls, tasty specials, and Manny also produces celebration cakes and cupcakes to order. Maritime charity UKSA is just 10 minutes from the high street, and will be running a variety of courses for young people during the Easter Holidays, which may provide the perfect opportunity for parents to drop off the children, and enjoy some quality time to themselves in town. UKSA’s fun days offer children aged 8-15 the perfect introduction to a range of on-the-water activities, with safety equipment and packed lunch provided. Dinghy sailing courses for all abilities are available, and the residential Sea. Change Foundation Programme gives 14-17 year olds five days of various water-based activities and classroom sessions to explore career options in the maritime sector. At open days on the 19th March and 23rd April, prospective students can meet the team, tour the waterside campus and learn about the training courses available.