Cowes - Isle Of Wight

Cowes is the yachting centre of not only The Island, but also arguably the world. It is most famous for Cowes Week, which usually takes place in the early part of August.

A visit to Cowes is a must, not only to appreciate the colours of all the spinnakers of the competing yachts, but also to take in the electric atmosphere of the evening, crewmembers relaxing and discussing the day’s events and how they faired. There is a good range of pubs and reputedly, Cowes has more per square mile than any other town in the UK.

Cowes has narrow streets and a wealth of chandleries, unique shops and eating venues, which cater for every need. The sea is never far away, and a walk through a narrow alley will take you to the marina, where you can stand and admire the cruisers and yachts which help to make Cowes what it is.

River Medina

The River Medina is the main river of the Isle of Wight, rising at St Catherine's Down in the south of the Island and through the capital Newport, towards the Solent at Cowes. The river is a navigable tidal estuary from Newport northwards. The Medina is 17km long with a catchment area of 17 km2. The river flows northwards collecting the Merston Stream at Blackwater before intersecting the ridge at Shide. The Lukely Brook is a tributary to the main river rising in Bowcombe Valley and joining the river at the head of the estuary in Newport.

The river is bridged at Newport. Cowes is connected to East Cowes by a chain ferry known as the Cowes Floating Bridge.

The name Medina came from the Anglo-Saxon Meðun , the middle one" but the Medina in Arabia may have influenced its modern spelling.
The river is used by yachtsmen as a very safe harbour. Along the banks of the Medina there are many old warehouses and wharfs where in the past flying boats, hovercraft and steam ships were built and developed; and there is a museum of classic boats which displays much of the river's history alongside the history of yachting. The Island Harbour Marina, an old tidal mill is also located along the river, about 1 mile from Newport.

As well as the chain ferry, the River Medina is served by several small ferries which cater mainly for sailors. There is also a steam paddle steamer 'Paddle Steamer Monarch' which offers pleasure cruises from Newport Harbour.