East Cowes is a town and civil parish to the north of the Isle of Wight, on the east bank of the River Medina next to its neighbour on the west bank, Cowes.The two towns are connected by the Cowes Floating Bridge, a chain ferry operated by the Isle of Wight Council which runs continuously between the two towns.East Cowes is the site of Norris Castle, and Osborne House, the former summer residence of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.