The Medina River - Newport IOW

After the bustle of the Solent and the familiar comfort of Mercury Marina on the Hamble, we headed west to the Isle of Wight, making our way up the River Medina to Island Harbour Marina, just north of Newport. Having stayed many times in the marina's around Cowes, we thought we would head past The Follly Inn and explore the top end of the river.

The Approach

The River Medina is deceptively simple. It twists and turns through green banks and sleepy villages, but some of the bends are shallow near the edges, so we hugged the channel and kept a steady eye on the depth and IOW ferries dashing to and from Southampton. Tide timing is important here, but once you’re moving, the scenery is worth every careful manoeuvre – swans gliding along the banks, reflections on the glassy water, and the occasional splash of a passing fish.

Mooring at Island Harbour Marina

Island Harbour Marina is small, tidy, and very welcoming. The pontoons are well-kept, the staff are friendly, and there’s a sense of calm you don’t always find in larger marinas. A lock opens +/- 3 hours before H/W. We arrived twenty minutes early and then were further delayed by issues with the inner lock gate. We were in no rush, so enjoyed the silence of the river.

The marina itself has an eclectic feel. The Spice girls "Spice bus" is sitting next to the shower block and a half finished housing development and closed restaurant shadow many of the pontoons. After digging deeper, it appears that the management went into administration earlier this year so things are in limbo. The location itself is perfect for us, with plenty of green space for Svea and also just a stones throw away from The Folly Inn.

Walks and Exploration

Svea hadn’t had a proper walk for a couple of days, so we were delighted to discover a cycle trail leading straight into Newport. Even better – dogs don’t need to be on a lead here. Bonus!

The walk begins by passing the wreck of the PS Ryde, a paddle steamer that once ferried passengers between the mainland and the Isle of Wight from 1937.

The riverside footpath was perfect for both walkers and cyclists, giving Svea the freedom to nose through the reeds and riverside greenery to her heart’s content. For those wanting a longer adventure, the trails stretch out towards the edge of Newport, where open fields and patches of woodland give a taste of the Island’s countryside without straying too far from the water.

Svea bounded ahead, ears flying, only stopping to glance back and make sure we were still keeping up.

Pubs and Food

The Isle of Wight may be quieter than the Solent, but Newport has no shortage of dog-friendly pubs and cafés. Some of our favourites were:

• The Quay Arts Café – relaxed and welcoming, perfect for coffee, pastries, and a dog curled up under the table.

• The George Hotel – hearty pub meals with a genuine warm welcome for four-legged sailors.

• The Solent Inn – right by the river, ideal for a pint while watching the sunset over the Medina.

• The Folly Inn – a traditional sailors’ pub where I’ve even danced on the tables in years gone by. Now run by Greene King, it offers a good selection of food and ale, with moorings and water taxis that still make it a favourite with sailing schools.

Sailing into Island Harbour Marina gave us the chance to slow the pace, enjoy a quieter stretch of river, and let Svea explore safely on solid ground. From the lively cobbles of Lymington to the bustling pontoons of Mercury on the Hamble, and now this serene hideaway, we were reminded that every harbour has its own character – and this one was as eclectic as they come.