You are here > Home > Cowes & East Cowes > Inspiration > River Medina
The maritime gateway to the isle of wight
.png)
The maritime gateway to the isle of wight
.png_tmp.png)
The River Medina runs from Cowes and East Cowes, down into Newport - and is home to a number of yacht clubs, marinas and businesses.
The Medina Estuary is a great place for wildlife; its tidal waters, saltmarsh and mudflats are home to a wide range of plants and animals that are specially adapted to living in the challenging conditions. Saltmarshes are essential to the estuary's ecosystem.
They contain rare and vulnerable plants and provide nutrients for invertebrates that are food for water birds. They are important resting and feeding sites throughout the tidal cycle from late October to early March and a safe haven for young birds in summer.
Saltmarshes help to reduce bank erosion by absorbing boat wash but are very vulnerable to trampling and sea level rise. Intertidal mud contains huge numbers of worms and snails that support the birds that spend the winter in the estuary.
When the mud is underwater the birds retreat to roost on the saltmarsh or sometimes the pontoons in Cowes fairway. Wading birds like dunlins, oystercatchers and lapwings can often be seen on pontoons at High Water and the buoys, navigation markers and piles provide a convenient resting spot for cormorants and terns in the summer.
There are also plenty of places to eat and drink as you make your way down the River Medina, why not take a gentle walk from Newport - along the river - and make your way down to the Folly Inn, before continuing your walk into East Cowes.
Number of results: 122
, currently showing 1 to 20.
EAST COWES
Designed by Prince Albert in an Italianate style, Osborne was the much-loved seaside home of Queen Victoria, her husband and their nine children. Osborne was a regal dwelling but also very much a private family home that reflected the royal family’s…
Cowes
Cowes Beach is a short pebble and shell covered beach to the west of the town front or Parade.
COWES
Book directly online for the best prices and availability.
We offer the perfect mix of a friendly, welcoming bed and breakfast with the spacious, non intrusive feel of a small hotel.
WEST COWES
Since 1826 Cowes Week has played a key part in the British sporting summer calendar and is one of the UK's longest running and most successful sporting events.
EAST COWES
East Cowes Beach is a quiet shingle and sand beach with fantastic views across West Cowes and its marina, and also out across the Solent.
East Cowes
Get creative with master builders and help bring heritage to life with LEGO® bricks.
Step into royal history and join English Heritage to recreate Osborne's charming Swiss Cottage in brick form. Once you've worked your magic, watch as our…
EAST COWES
Join Queen Victoria at Osborne for a day at the races as Her Majesty’s horses charge into view!
Place your bets and cheer on your riders against the backdrop of the Queen’s beloved island home. As merry music fills the air, immerse yourself in…
EAST COWES
Step into Queen Victoria’s favourite country home and experience a world unchanged since the monarch died here just over 100 years ago.
Southampton
Red Funnel, the Isle of Wight specialists, offer a vehicle ferry service between Southampton and East Cowes and a fast, frequent Red Jet Hi-Speed foot passenger service between Southampton and West Cowes, Isle of Wight.
EAST COWES
Just a short carriage ride from Osborne, St Mildred’s Church, Whippingham was redesigned by Prince Albert, and rebuilt in a style considered to be more suitable for the royal family. The family worshipped at St Mildred’s when in residence at Osborne…
York Avenue, EAST COWES
This airy and welcoming multi-purpose space is home to East Cowes Community Library and East Cowes Tourist Information Point. There are easy chairs and cafe style seating - ideal for planning your days out. There is also access to a laptop and wifi.…
Cowes
Enjoy the film, Untouchable, at Trinity Theatre that will deliver one of the funniest, most honest and touching films ever made.
The script shows the beautiful and honest friendship between a wealthy quadriplegic (François Cluzet) and his…
COWES
Follow in the footsteps of literary greats like Edward Lear, Robert Graves and AA Milne, with the Isle of Wight Literary Heroes Trail
EAST COWES
A spacious 3 bedroom pet friendly Victorian house which comfortably sleeps 5 and is set in a quiet road within walking distance to the marina, East Cowes centre, the ferry and floating bridge.
WEST COWES & EAST COWES
WEST COWES
The Basque Kitchen in Cowes infuses Basque Country cooking with the best fresh Isle of Wight produce.
Cowes
UKSA's popular Spring Camps are an action-packed programme of activities designed for children of all abilities, who are looking to get out onto the water, learn new skills, make new friends, and have some fun.
Activities can include dinghy…
East Cowes
East Cowes Marina welcomes visiting yachts and motor boats all year round to our 360 berth marina on the sunny and sheltered banks of the river Medina.
Cowes
Salty Sailing offers a unique opportunity to set sail and explore the beautiful coastline, stunning bays and interesting wildlife of the Isle of Wight.
WEST COWES
The annual Round the Island Race, organised by the Island Sailing Club, is a one-day yacht race around the Isle of Wight. The race regularly attracts over 1,000 boats and thousands of sailors, making it one of the largest yacht races in the world…
.png "Isle of Wight")
Copyright © 2025 Visit Isle of Wight Ltd. All Rights Reserved
The Needles Landmark Attraction
Sandham Gardens
Isle of Wight Pearl
From challenging coastal walks to beautiful short walking routes the Isle of Wight is perfect for relaxing walking holidays!
Luccombe Manor
Luccombe Hall Hotel
The Wight
Ferry discounts with accommodation
Isle of Wight Walking Festival
The iconic Isle of Wight Festival attracts some of the biggest rock acts on the planet!
Royal Isle of Wight County Show
There's nothing quite like Cowes Week; the oldest and largest annual sailing regatta in the World.
Dog friendly
Eco-friendly & sustainable
Group friendly ideas
Family holidays
Information on all the ferry options available to the Isle of Wight from mainland UK
Ferry discounts with accommodation
Electric vehicle charging points
Bike hire
Bistros & restaurants
Pubs & bars
Cafes & tearooms
Farm kitchens & shops
to add an item to your Itinerary basket.
like, follow, share....join in!
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
YouTube
TikTok
Threads