Medina, River (Cowes to Newport)
At a Glance
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This coverage deals with the River Medina after it leaves Cowes and makes it's way to Newport, the county town of the Isle of Wight...
Once past Cowes the River changes character completely, leaving behind the industrial scenery and moving through open countryside. The river is well marked by buoyage and moorings, and it is quite easy to find your way as far as the Folly Inn, as even at low water a boat drawing 1.5 m should be able to work their way up there.
There are pontoon moorings at the Folly, most not being
connected to the shore. The Folly Inn welcomes visiting yachtsman
and provides some facilities for their convenience.
After the Folly the River progressively dries out, and to reach
Island Harbour and lock in a suitable rise of tide will be needed.
Here all the normal Marina facilities are available, except that
provisioning is difficult. Normal draught vessels have little
trouble entering and leaving Island Harbour via its lock.
In fact after leaving Cowes the only option for provisioning is
really Newport. This can be reached by shoal draft vessels prepared
to take the ground, or long keeled vessels prepared to lean against
the wall. At high water neaps there is less than 2 m at Newport,
with around 2.5 m at Springs. All main town facilities can be found
in Newport, although this is not a seafaring town as such.
After the hectic comings and goings of Cowes, this section of the
River makes a very pleasant and rural contrast.
Medina, River (Cowes to Newport)
Approach
The seaward approaches to Cowes have already been covered, and this article continues where that left off, approximately off East Cowes Marina: The River has...
plenty of water around this area and it is simply a matter of following it down past the conspicuous Kingston powerstation with its chimneys on your port side keeping fairly central for the best water. Red can buoy number eight (Fl.R.2s) and red can buoy number 10 (Fl.R.6s) will be left on your port hand side.
Shortly after number 10 the River bears slightly to the east,
the lines of moorings clearly show the way on your starboard side,
and the deepest water is fairly close to these.
The Folly Inn will now be heaving into view, with INN clearly
marked in huge lettering on the roof. This lies on the eastern
side, and roughly opposite this are the clearly marked visitors
pontoons for which there is a charge.
Coverage continued:
From here the River dries completely and consultations will need
to be made with the tide tables if planning to go further.
Anchoring is not allowed in this reach because of cables, and in
any case would not be practical given the narrowness of the channel
and the proximity of moorings. This patch of the River is still
under the control of the Cowes Harbour Authorities, but from the
Folly Inn onwards the River falls under the control of the Newport
harbourmaster, and the Isle of Wight Council.
With a suitable rise of tide boats of up to 2 m draft and 15 m long
can get into Island Harbour, via its lock. From the Folly Inn it is
a matter of moving up River with pile moorings on either side to
show the way, and when these finish there is red and green buoyage
to follow. In the region of the third red buoy you pass on your
port hand side, and the second green buoy on your starboard side
lies the entrance to the lock, with the unmistakable control tower
looking out over the river. The entrance channel makes a straight
line outwards from the lock to join the main River and is marked by
two small red buoys. Entry to the Marina through the lock will be
covered shortly.
If continuing on to Newport Quay follow the buoyage onwards, the
bottom of the River does not particularly form a steep gutway, but
tends to shelve more gradually. Soon after passing under the
electricity cables (with a clearance of over 30 m) you should be
able to identify and pick up the leading marks which are a pair of
white posts on the eastern bank, forming a transit on 192°. These
are lit, but it's unlikely a stranger will be making his
way here at night. On your port side you will pass a Harvester pub
restaurant and a Travelodge Hotel, and you're virtually
there now. On the starboard side lie the mud berths and pontoons of
the Odessa Shipyard, with various small and not so small craft in
residence, and on your port side will appear the pontoons of
Newport Harbour specifically for small craft that can take the
ground (bilge keelers). Photo number 11 in the gallery shows this
pontoon clearly looking back towards the Folly, with the berths of
the Odessa Shipyard clearly visible on the other side of the
River.
Long keeled craft prepared to take the ground and lean on the wall
carry on a bit further and moor up on the port side opposite the
Bargemans Rest pub. At this point the River is bridged and further
navigation is impossible.
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Waypoint
Charts
Rules & Regs
Hazards
Tides
Berthing
Berths available for visiting yachts or motorboats include...
Floating pontoons at the Folly Inn, Island Yacht Harbour (floating pontoons, lock in), and drying berths at Newport Town Quay. These are all now described with access details and prices:
The first berthing options when approaching from Cowes are the pontoons off the Folly Inn. On the Western side (starboard) there are a couple of long isolated pontoons clearly marked for visitors. Deeper draft craft lay on the outsides, nearer the centre of the River, while shallow draft craft use the insides.
https://www.iow.gov.uk/libraries-leisure-and-heritage/recreation-and-leisure/harbour-information/folly-moorings/
In spite of the depths shown on the chart most normal craft remain
afloat here at all times, although touching the soft mud bottom is
a possibility at LWS. Simply look for a suitable place and tie up
on the pontoon. Someone will presently appear to relieve you of a
modest amount of money. (£1.50 per metre per night with short stays
somewhat less). There is no water or electricity on the pontoons.
These pontoons can get very busy on summer weekends, and it may be
worth contacting Cowes Harbour Control on 01983 293952 or VHF
channel 69 to check availability of space at these times. It is
worth knowing that the Folly Launch which operates a ferry service
to the inn (and to Cowes) can reserve a berth for you. Contact them
in advance by email:- [email protected]
with your required dates, length of boat and boat's name.
To save you inflating your tender there are two water taxis
operating in the area, Folly Launch (c/s Folly launch on Ch 72 or
07884 400046) and Folly Waterbus (c/s Waterbus on Ch 77 or 07974
864627)
There are a couple of alongside berths with walk ashore access on the Folly side pontoon, but I've never yet seen a space available here.
Probably the only anchoring opportunity for craft able to take the ground is just past the Folly and the pile moorings to the West of the channel as marked by the two green buoys in clear sight of Island Harbour's lock and control tower. The riverbed shelves gently in this area, but the usual precautions about finding a place to settle down on the mud apply.
***Island Harbour are now in admistration. All services are likely to be affected.***
Update 2025: Now been taken over..but maybe not such a good thing ..see here:
Island Harbour can be approached and entered by craft drawing 2
m about an hour either side of MHWS, and craft 1.5 m draft about
two hours either side. The lock is manned from 8 AM to 9 PM during
the summer and 8 AM to 5:30 PM off-season, and craft wishing to
enter should contact Island Harbour Marina on VHF channel 80 or
telephone 01983 539994 as passing the Folly. The control tower
looking over the River is unmistakable, and a long holding pontoon
pokes out into the River at right angles from the southern side of
the lock. If you just want to use the holding pontoon to tie up
and make a short visit ashore they will make a charge of £10,
There's no charge for waiting one's turn for the
lock. The new approach channel follows the line of this pontoon,
and is marked on the northern side by small red buoys. Entry to the
lock is controlled by simple traffic lights, wait for a green light
to enter. Holding on ropes are provided within the lock, so
generally it's just a matter of fendering up well entering
the lock and hanging on as the water level adjusts. Quite often the
lock will completely open for free flow around high water, again
with entry and exit controlled by the traffic lights. The staff
will direct you to a berth as you enter. There are no tidal streams
to worry about within and a fair amount of room to play with once
inside. All normal Marina facilities (except fuel and provisions)
are available here. This summer (2023) visiting boats will be
charged at £3.10 per metre per night (Mon to Thur) and £3.50 per
metre per night (Fri to Sun). Shore power is
available as an extra (£3.00 per night)) Photo number 4 in the
gallery shows part of the lock with the holding on ropes visible,
while photos number 5 and 6 show plenty of room to manoeuvre once
inside, and the fuel pump that has been defunct as long as I can
remember.
Shelter once within is near perfect, and makes a great change from the frenetic comings and goings elsewhere...... added to this is the beautiful rural setting.
The marina came under new ownership in of
January 2013 but retained the same personnel on the ground. The new
owners are a London based company and this is their first venture
into the marina world so it will be interesting to see what they
make of it.
An update on their plans. The paddle steamer wreck is still there
but they do plan to move it sometime. They have decided not to
retail fuel and the pontoon out in the river has not materialised
and is on the back burner. Their plans for a Spa, Swimming pool etc
have been delayed by current events but the Breeze Restaurant has
been refurbished and new childrens play area is operating. They had
a busy year there in 2021 and are looking forward to
2022.
A link to their website is below:
https://www.island-harbour.co.uk/
At Newport itself the two berthing options are either on the wooden floating pontoons for craft able to sit upright on the mud, or alongside the quay for long keeled craft. There is not too much water here so careful tidal calculations will need to be made.... at HWS there will be about 2.5 m, while at HWN around 1.85 m. The harbour dries completely to a firm muddy bottom, not too banked up on the quayside wall. Water and electricity (£1 per night) are available here, as well as fender boards for leaning against the quay, and toilets ashore. The harbour master at Newport monitors VHF channel 69 or telephone 01983 823885, and his office will be found close to the quay. The 2018 costs here are £12 for boats under 6m, £18 per night for boats between 6 and 9 m, and £24 for boats up to 12 m. A winter discount applies between the beginning of November and the end of March.
Photos numbers 11 through to 14 show Newport, and in number 14 you can just make out two long keeled yachts dried out against the quay, one leaning forwards at a bit of an angle.
The link to the Newport harbour authority is below:
The Odessa Shipyard on the Western side of the river opposite Newport Quay berths some surprisingly large vessels in it's accommodating mud as well as some yachts and motorboats. If seeking a long-term or possible live aboard berth it may be worth trying them, telephone 01983 524337.
Updated March 2023
Marinas and Mooring
Island Harbour Marina Ltd
Mill Lane, Binfield, Newport, Isle of Wight. PO30 2LA
Newport Harbour Master
Harbour Office, Town Quay, Newport, Isle of Wight. PO30 2ED
Facilities
At the Folly Inn is a popular slipway for launching and
recovering small craft, with the inn itself being very
accommodating with parking.
For a visiting yachtsman on the pontoons access is either by dinghy
or the Folly Launch on VHF channel 72. The pub is well set up for
sailing types, and indeed the place is a bit out of the way for
access by car, and extremely difficult for public transport.
Showers are available for visiting yachtsman and water in Jerry
cans can be had ashore. Drinks and meals are available in this
large establishment, and it is deservedly popular with sailors. Not
much else is available but there is a large mobile home site nearby
for retired people, where basic provisions may be obtained.
It is possible to walk along the river bank to Island Harbour if
you wish to check it out, or sample " The Bistro" there.
Island Harbour is another of these places totally isolated from
town or shops. Apart from the Marina there is a smallish housing
development, but no shops as such. There is a bus stop just down
the lane from the marina with regular services to Ryde, Newport and
Cowes. As a place to keep a boat it has much to recommend it
(providing you have a car). Facilities are quite good and include
toilets and showers, water and electricity on the pontoons and a
laundry ashore. A family run boatyard and chandlery deal with all
the boaty side of things very efficiently. The small Chandlers has
moved into a new building and is even more well-stocked with
useful things (rather than clothing) including Calor gas and
camping gas, and the yard can handle many different kinds of work,
with vast areas of hard standing available for storage and some
very attractive winter package deals. Most normal size yachts can
be lifted here, and the yard ashore is popular for wintering with
those who keep their boats on moorings in the River.
The Bistro bar restaurant on site offers good food and drinks, and
is quite a pleasant place to sit outside of on a summer's
morning with a bacon sandwich and a coffee. This facility has been
doubled in size since the marina came into the new ownership and
has the addition of a large childrens' playground
The Marina is a popular venue for club outings originating on the
mainland, and at these times it can be a bit busy.
Any shopping will need to be bought in Newport, which is a good
half hours hike away following the River to Newport Quay. This
pathway has been resurfaced by the Council and is now a popular
cycle track. For a big stock up you could try Co-Op in Newport, and
get them to deliver it to you later at Island Harbour.... this has
worked well in practice.
The facility has passed the initial phases of new ownership so any
changes from here on in will be improvements though they still have
some things on their bucket list.
Facilities at Newport consist of water, electricity, and toilets.
Here also there is a fair amount of hard standing ashore over the
winter. The harbourmaster organises this and it is accomplished
with a mobile crane and batches of craft being dealt with one after
another. The boats sit rather strangely in the Council car
park...
Bottled gas and paraffin can be obtained at Hursts the ironmongers,
who's large main branch is close to Newport Quay and well
worth a good rummage. Most of the High Street names will be found
in Newport along with the banks and their cash machines. Internet
access is available at the library. Co-Op and Morrison's
supermarkets are close by along with butchers, bakers and
fruiterers.
Newport being the main town of the Isle of Wight is the epicentre
of the Southern Vectis bus service, and public transport to all
parts of the island can be had here.
Boatyards & Boatyard Services
Island Harbour Marina
Mill Lane, Binfield, Newport, Isle of Wight. PO30 2LA
Richardson's Chandlery & Bistro
Richardsons Yacht Services Ltd, Island Harbout Marina, Mill Lane, Binfield, Newport, Isle of Wight. PO30 2LA
Chandlers
Seasafe Systems Ltd
Mariners House, Mariners Way, Somerton Business Park, Newport Road, Cowes, Isle of Wight. PO31 8PB
Rowlocks Chandlery
East Cowes Marina, Unit 55-57 Britania Way, East Cowes, Isle of Wight. PO32 6UB
Brent Marine Services
Odessa Boatyard, Little London, Newport, Isle of Wight. PO30 5BS
What to Do
At the Folly Inn and Island Harbour you are limited to the more
than adequate facilities on hand for eating and drinking.
Newport is a different matter altogether. For things to do there is
a fair choice, including the Bus Museum on the Quay, a stones throw
from the mooring berths. Also right on top of the Quay is the
Bargemans Rest, which serves food and drink and has live music
during the season, and also the Arts Centre is based here.
In the Town itself will be found the Museum of Island History and
also the Roman Villa. Carisbrooke Castle is nearby where King
Charles 1 was imprisoned and overlooks the town.
A multiscreen cinema and theatre are based in the town, and for
eating out and drinking you are spoiled for choice. Younger crew
may appreciate that there is a bit of nightlife to sample here,
with late night drinking available even midweeks. Try Yates in the
High St.
From member Gary Flashman:
Folly Inn
Tel 01983 297171
The Folly in East Cowes | Greene King Local Pubs
(greeneking-pubs.co.uk)
Berthing Master 07974 864627
The Folly is well known for its table dancing (Saturday nights
normally) but it has a lot more to offer. They have their own walk
ashore pontoon taking you straight to the pub - this needs to be
booked in the sailing season - as well as moorings in the centre of
the river. Shallow draft boats can moor on the West side of the
pontoons with a lovely outlook across the water to the fields and
woods beyond, bigger boats have plenty of depth on the East side.
They operate their own ferry service from the moorings to the pub,
and also (by arrangement) to Cowes.
They have a good kitchen, large dining area both inside and out,
and offer a variety of ales. They get very busy in the season so
it might make sense to contact them in advance both to arrange a
mooring and book a table. They are a favourite destination for
rallies.
They have shower facilities, however you may wish to make other
arrangements.
Island Harbour
Tel 01983 539996
This is a relatively new build marina/residential development, the
marina being accessed by lock. Some people like it, some find it
soul-less. It has a restaurant and bar.
Walk (or bus) to Newport
It's a lovely walk from (say) the Folly alongside the river to
Newport. There's plenty to see, including the facility
manufacturing massive blades for wind turbines, and the path is
well maintained. If you're not feeling that energetic (or perhaps
when you're coming back after lunch) there's a bus stop at the top
of the lane.
Upper Reaches of the Medina
Navigation is not that difficult, much of it serves commercial
shipping and is dredged, but you do need to be careful with the
tides and follow the well marked channel. Toward Newport the river
dries to a trickle at low water.
Town Moorings.
Tel 01983 525994
The Council have a pontoon alongside the wall to welcome visiting
yachts. It dries to soft mud, but deep keeled boats can lean
against the wall, which dries to hard standing. If you're ok with
that they are very comfortable. It can get busy at peak
periods.
Shower facilities are available which are clean but basic, and the
pontoons are a few minutes walk from the town centre.
Odessa Boatyard
Tel 01983 524337
Odessaboatyard.co.uk
The yard is directly opposite the Council pontoon, and mainly hosts
permanent moorings and live-aboards. However if you are into
quirky locations, Odessa Boatyard is the place for you. They
welcome visitors, though you might find yourself alongside the wall
or rafted and you need to be able to take to the mud. Contact them
in advance to see if they can accommodate you. They have showers
etc, which are clean if basic.
We love it.
Bargemans Rest
Tel 01983 525828
Bargemansrest.com
Right at the top of the river, the Bargemans Rest is quite new but
has plenty of atmosphere. If the weather is half decent you can
sit outside and watch the world go by, alternatively they have a
very large bar/dining area inside. They offer a range of well kept
ales, and have a good kitchen.
Ale House
Tel 07791 514668
Newportalehouse.co.uk
Like their sister pub in Cowes, this is an ale lover's destination
of choice. All on stillage behind the bar it goes without saying
that the ales are well kept and with a wide offering. Again the
food is pub grub as it used to be, sarnies pies etc, with no sign
of curled up edges. Not to be missed.
Wetherspoons
Tel 01983 530126
https://www.jdwetherspoon.com/pubs/all-pubs/england/isle-of-wight/the-man-in-the-moon-newport
The Man in the Moon is just off the main drag, close to the town
centre. It's a converted church and it has to be said that the
conversion has been done with style and with respect for the
original architecture.
It is huge, but despite this it always seems to be full.
Nonetheless you're unlikely to be kept waiting for your drink or
meal – the service is excellent. It's the only pub we've
been to where people form an orderly queue to get to the bar. Why?
I've no idea.
As always with Spoons there is a good variety of well kept ales and
grub, all at excellent prices.
Newport
The main town on the Island, Newport offer all you might expect
from major shopping chains, banks etc to a very good Morrisons
supermarket. It is also the hub for the bus system which is the
prime mode of transport for the visiting yachtsman.
The Bus System
The Isle of Wight bus system is as good as it gets. It can take
you anywhere you might want or need to get to, the services are
frequent and timely and the vehicles are comfortable. They take
you through lovely countryside and many are double-deckers so you
make the best of the view.
They offer all day, any journey tickets which are both economic and
convenient.
They visit the main island tourist and kids destinations, for
example Blackgang Chine and Alum Bay, making these accessible to
yachties with families.
History
There are signs of Roman settlement in the area, which was
probably known as Medina, including two known Roman villas one of
which, Newport Roman Villa, is excavated and open to the
public.
There was little later use until after the Norman conquest with the
first charter being granted late in the twelfth century. In 1377 an
invading French force burnt down much of the town while attempting
to take Carisbrooke Castle, then under the command of Sir Hugh
Tyrill. A group of French were captured and killed, then buried in
a tumulus later nicknamed Noddies Hill, a "noddy" being medieval
slang for a body. This was later corrupted to Nodehill, the
present-day name for a part of central Newport - a name confusing
to many as the area is flat.
The town was incorporated as a borough in 1608. The town's
position as an area of trade accessible to the sea meant it rapidly
took over from Carisbrooke as the main central settlement,
eventually absorbing the latter as a suburb. The borough ceased to
exist in 1974 after the incorporation of the larger Borough of
Medina, which was itself superseded in 1995 by a single unitary
authority covering the whole of the Isle of Wight.
In recent times, Newport has undergone an influx of changes, with
two shopping centres and all new road directions to show for the
town's recent development efforts. Newport Quay has also
been re-developed, with art galleries such as the Quay Arts Centre,
and new flats converted from old warehouses.
Geography
Newport is the principal town of the Isle of Wight. Transportation
connections link all major towns to Newport, making it the main
shopping centre and location for public services on the island. The
main A3020 and A3054 roads meet at the busy Coppins Bridge
Roundabout east of the town centre. The nearest city to the town is
Portsmouth, located approximately 13 miles north-east on the
mainland. More locally, Ryde, the island's largest town is
located to the north-east, with other towns Sandown and Shanklin
located to the east, and Cowes to the north.
The River Medina runs through Newport, at which point it becomes a
navigable tidal estuary.
Local Business
Boat Charters
Griffin Marine Services
4 Hampshire Crescent, Newport, Isle of Wight. PO30 5RX
Graham Etheridge Marine Contractor
The Paddock, Edward Road, Hythe, Southampton, Hampshire. SO45 6BD
Divers/Diving and related services
Marine Engineering
DT Engineering Marine & Mechanical Ltd
12 Daish Way, Newport, Isle of Wight. PO30 5XB
Marine Electrics/Electronics
Variable Voltage Technology Ltd
Unit 3B Sheat Manor Farm, Chillerton, Newport, Isle of Wight. PO30 3HP
Other-Businesses
Pondacre Storage Ltd
Pondacre Farm, Yarmouth Road, Newport, Isle of Wight. PO30 4LY
Paint Supplies Ltd
Unit 1 Admirals Yard, Little London, Newport, Isle of Wight. PO30 5BS
