Interesting fact...
Marina History
The port of Cowes has a long history of yachting which is well known around the world, but it also has 
a distinguished history of building larger craft. White’s and Saunders Roe between them built MTB’s, destroyers, seaplanes and hovercraft. On our own site in East Cowes, a large slipway used to run up through the site which accommodated ‘The Brittannia’, the bow of which nearly touched the houses on the far side of Clarence Road.
We purchased the marina in 1998 and it was at that time very run down. We immediately set about a major programme of improvements to satisfy the growing needs of the modern day yachtsman. Starting at the northern end (the bit the yotties saw first), pontoon replacement and dredging was started, because the old pontoons had been quite rightly condemned by the local Health and Safety official. The 
management offices were abandoned, and the smart new facilities building with the posh toilets and showers was built, this including five flats on the upper floors. Then the
old cafe was demolished, in favour of a new public house which was built by Whitbread, but is now in our ownership. In the meantime, our neighbours Barratt Homes carried out the first major housing scheme on the Island for many years, and between us we have given a new lease of life to this little part of the island. One of our favourite sailing ladies opened the site for us in 2005.