East Cowes is a town that combines history, culture and nature in a unique way. It has something for everyone, whether you are interested in royal heritage, community spirit or natural beauty - it’s certainly not short on spaces which are being made more nature-friendly, or indeed have the potential to.

The Town’s landscaping was shaped largely by the influence of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, who made their home at Osborne House in the 19th century. The royal couple had a passion for plants and gardens and transformed the Osborne Estate into a showcase of exotic and native flora. But did you know that East Cowes also had a botanic garden, a woodland at its heart and a wealth of ornamental and native street trees that add beauty and character to the town?

The East Cowes Botanic Garden was established in 1887 as part of the East Cowes Park development, a planned estate of grand houses, groves and parks inspired by Prince Albert’s vision for Osborne. The designer - William Goldring was a prominent landscape architect who also worked on Kew Gardens. The gardens featured a variety of plants from around the world, including palms, ferns, cacti, orchids and roses. It was open to the public and attracted many visitors who admired the exotic collection. However, it fell into decline and out of fashion after the First World War, as many of the houses in the East Cowes Park development were sold or demolished. Exploring the town you cannot fail to notice its spectacular street trees, some of which were planted as part of the wider landscaping plans for Osborne House and its surroundings, others are legacy trees from the Botanic Gardens – all providing shade, beauty, wildlife habitat and environmental and health benefits.

The most recent addition to the Town’s tree portfolio are 30 fruit trees which were planted in Jubilee Recreation Ground, creating the Queen Elizabeth II Community Orchard to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee (part of the Queen’s Green Canopy). The orchard, a joint effort between East Cowes Town Council and Red Funnel was officially opened earlier in 2023.

Fruit trees include apples, pears and cherries with the first produce expected in about 5 years’ time. The orchard is open to the public and residents will be able to enjoy the fruits for free. In time, the orchard will also provide a habitat for wildlife, supporting birds and insects.

Towards the southern area of the Town are Vectis Road Allotments. This site has a long history, dating back to the early 20th century, when the allotments were part of the East Cowes Park development. Today they are managed by VERA. VERA are part of #Team Wilder and are working with our Wilder Wight Communities Officer to take action for nature onsite.

The site has varied habitats with many refuges for nature including grassland, hedgerows, trees and ponds. The newly formed Wildlife Group keep a record of wildlife sightings and have already tallied 50+ different species. Several new ponds have been created this year taking the total to 19. Native trees and hedges have been planted, longer grass areas retained, spaces for pollinators created, bird feeders and boxes, log piles and dead hedges installed and an ambitious wildlife meadow is planned. Alongside the Wilder Wight Communities Officer visits and support, other wildlife experts have been invited onsite to advise on improvements for key species including Hedgehogs and Red Squirrels.

The allotments are not only a source of fresh and healthy food, but also a place of community and friendship. The tenants share their knowledge, skills and produce with each other and surplus produce is donated to the local food pantry scheme.

A stone’s throw from the allotments is another urban wildlife haven and an oasis of calm - East Cowes (Kingston) Cemetery. The Cemetery was established in 1877, though no longer an active burial ground it is now a place cared for by The Friends of East Cowes for the community and local wildlife. As an area which is rarely disturbed, the cemetery is an important place in the town for wildlife and plants to thrive. The grounds are in effect a traditional meadow and therefore attract many meadow species of plants and insects.

The cemetery has a wide range of plant species with areas left uncut in the summer months. This creates a wildflower meadows supporting plant species such as primroses and cowslips in the early spring, together with early purple and green-winged orchids.

These are followed by buttercups, fleabane and bird’s-foot trefoil and later summer species including large quantities of ox-eye daisies, knapweed and yellow rattle. Bee orchids and ladies tresses orchids have also been recorded here.

The wildflowers in turn attract a large variety of butterflies, moths and other insects. The bird boxes, painted by local children are used by blue tits and sparrows. There are also bat boxes onsite and green woodpeckers are often seen visiting to raid ants nests on the ground.

The final wild community space to mention is Castle Copse – a hidden woodland in the heart of the Town surrounded by development, but important sanctuary for local wildlife. The site is well used and loved by neighbouring residents. It is managed by Gift to Nature and local wildlife enthusiasts keep an eye on the site and regularly record the visiting wildlife. We are looking for opportunities and smaller spaces to begin to connect up some of these fantastic places around the Town – to help a network of wilder spaces where local nature can thrive. If you would like to know more about becoming a #Wilder Community Group, or perhaps know of a local unloved place that could be made colourful and buzzing or more wild, contact us to find out how we can support you wilderwightcommunties@hiwwt.org.uk. Wilder Wight Communities is a partnership project between Southern Co-op and Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust.