Cowes is an English seaport town and a gateway to the Isle of Wight. It is located on the west bank of the estuary of the River Medina, where the Cowes Floating Bridge ferries passengers between Cowes and East Cowes. Cowes has long been a home for international yacht racing and gives its name to the world's oldest regular regatta, Cowes Week, which occurs annually in the first week of August on The Solent. Explore the town’s history by visiting the maritime museums, or Osborne House, Queen Victoria’s family home, one of the most popular tourist attractions on the Isle of Wight. Enjoy a stroll along the seafront and see boats of every shape and size and build sandcastles on the beaches. There are cafes, bars and many boutique shops and galleries, plus a host of excellent restaurants. Cowes is the start point of the Isle of Wight Coastal Path, a circular long-distance footpath.