East Cowes Heritage Centre 2025

Trace the development of the LIFU steam vehicle factory, as well as shipbuilding. The first all-welded battleship 'HMS Cavalier' was constructed here. England's first seaplane took flight in 1913, from Samuel Saunders' workshops which went on to develop these craft for the military, and the largest metal flying boat in the world, 'The Princess'. East Cowes was the birthplace of the hovercraft in 1959.

Contacts

Operator: Isle of Wight Society (ECHO)

Address: 8 Clarence Road East Cowes Isle of Wight PO32 6EP

Telephone: 01983 280 310
Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Website: View website

Open Days & Times

5 Feb-23 Dec Mon-Sat 1000-1300. Visit website for more details.

Travel

By Bus: 4, 5

Facilities

Part disabled access

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A permanent exhibition displays the history of East Cowes since 1783, using 3D models of the town, other models, maps, photographs and text. There are temporary exhibitions looking at subjects in greater depth. There are extensive archives in over a hundred user-friendly files on over 80 subjects for visitors to access for research.