Cowes' lost castle

On the 185th anniversary of his death we look back at architect John Nash’s fairy tale Gothic Isle of Wight home

- Steve Roberts

Cowes is famous for many things. Yachting as home to Cowes Week in August and the Royal Yacht Squadron (RYS); the floating bridge connecting East and West Cowes, with the 2017 version’s attendant teething problems; the ferries from Southampton; and the fort dating back to Henry VIII’s time at West Cowes which is now incorporated into the RYS. It’s unlikely anyone would suggest East Cowes Castle, for there isn’t one, although that wasn’t always the case.

The name Cowes (or ‘Cows’) dates back to 1414, the year before Agincourt, although a settlement had existed at East Cowes from at least the 13th century, which by the 1300s was known as ‘Shamblord’. Come the 18th century a mix of shipbuilding, trade and sea-bathing was making Cowes wealthy. The building of Osborne House from 1845-51 and the establishment of the RYS in 1854 made this a happening place.

One man who saw Cowes’ possibilities was the architect John Nash (1752-1835). He became noted for his country house designs, coming to the attention of no less than the Prince of Wales – the future Prince Regent and George IV. Nash designed the layout of the new Regent’s Park in London (1811-25), recreated Buckingham Palace, designed the Marble Arch, and rebuilt Brighton’s Royal Pavilion, as well as promulgating the use of steel girders.