River Medina

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.

Find places to eat and drink in our list below.