Medina Valley

Medina Valley is the Isle of Wight’s most diverse, accessible and historic destination and a wonderful place to relax and recharge. The Valley incorporates six parishes that are linked together by the Medina Estuary: East Cowes, Cowes, Gurnard, Northwood, Newport and Whippingham.

Threading between the towns, you’ll find natural beauty and rare wildlife, with car free trails that are much loved by walkers, runners and cyclists. Go and unwind in the nature reserves, explore the striking coastline and get lost in an ancient forest.

The area is rich in history and a must-visit destination for anyone interested in the Royal family – Queen Victoria and Prince Albert built their summer palace here at Osborne. Medina Valley is also a centre for maritime and industrial innovation, and you can visit museums or follow trails to discover all about the pioneering boats, hovercrafts, planes and rockets that have been built here.

This is an ideal base for your Isle of Wight escape, with easy access to the rest of the Island.

10 minutes to tranquillity

Wherever you go in the Valley, you’re never more than 10 minutes from peace, quiet, and a sense of calm. You don’t even need a car, as it’s easy to get around by bike, walking or public transport. There are two ferry terminals in the Valley, at Cowes and East Cowes, making it one of the most accessible parts of the Island. Then, within minutes, you can leave the characterful towns, and find yourself at a nature reserve among the butterflies; strolling along the Medina Estuary; or wandering through a forest. 

Pick up the footpath at St Mildred’s Church in Whippingham and head along the Estuary towards Newport (if the lock gate is open at Island Harbour ring the doorbell and it will be closed for you so that you can get across). In Newport you can join the Red Squirrel Trail on the other side of the Estuary, meandering up to Cowes.

Scenic hues of blues and greens

The Medina flows from Chale all the way to cosmopolitan Cowes, becoming a tidal estuary at Newport. This is the Island’s county town, and minutes from the historic harbour you’ll find meadows and nature reserves. From here you could walk to Carisbrooke Castle and take a stroll around the moat, giving you therapeutic views of lush rolling countryside vanishing into the horizon.

The Medina Estuary is a haven for wildlife. The tidal waters, saltmarsh and mudflats are home to many plants and animals, including wading birds such as the oystercatcher and redshank.

Parkhurst Forest is nearby, which contains some ancient woodland. This is one of the best places on the Island to see the rare red squirrel, the UK’s only native squirrel species. There is a specially designed hide where you can look up into the treetops to watch their antics.

Find out more and discover the top five best kept nature secrets in Medina Valley.

The Island’s Royal quarter

Medina Valley has close ties to the monarchy that date back hundreds of years. The epicentre is Osborne in East Cowes, which was the much loved family home of Queen Victoria for over 50 years. This seaside palace was partly designed by Prince Albert, and it’s now the Island’s most visited attraction, with many new fans thanks to the TV series Victoria, and films including Mrs Brown and Victoria & Abdul. The house appears to be frozen in time, giving you an intimate glimpse of their family life. If you go at dusk, as the light fades, it’s a particularly atmospheric experience.

Around 200 royal servants lived on the estate and in the surrounding houses and farms in East Cowes. Many are buried at the Royal family’s church, a short carriage journey away at St Mildred’s in Whippingham, where you can still see Victoria’s pew and special entrance.

The Royal connections are equally strong at Carisbrooke, where King Charles I was imprisoned at the historic Castle. Although he was allowed out for the occasional ale, his final outing was to the scaffold where he lost his head.

Members of the current Royal family are rather better treated on their regular visits, although even the Queen wasn’t allowed to use the main entrance of the Royal Yacht Squadron when she came to Cowes – until recently it was men only, no exceptions, not even for their patron!

Royal connections: 

• Newport Minster, dating back to 1175, has links to Carisbrooke Castle, Osborne House and the Royals. Prince Albert laid the foundation stone of the rebuilt church in 1854. Plus the Minster contains the tomb of a Princess.
• The Royal Yacht Squadron in Cowes used to form part of Henry VIII’s coastal defences.
• Northwood House in Cowes was remodelled by the Regency architect, John Nash, who also designed Buckingham Palace. Northwood House was once famous for its lavish parties. A series of tunnels run under the house – these allowed Royals to alight from their carriages and sneak in, without being spotted. Nash was buried at St James’s Church in East Cowes.

Industry and innovation

Medina Valley is famous for its maritime and industrial innovation, past and present. The world’s first seaplane and the largest all-metal flying boat were built here. It’s also where the hovercraft was invented, and satellite-carrying rockets were developed before being tested on the other side of the Island. Up until the 1960s, it was a centre for shipbuilding, making warships for navies around the world.

Many speedboats were built here, including the famous Bluebird, a small, light boat that sliced through the water with barely any disturbance and set the world speed record in the 1930s. You can see lots of famous yachts, flying boats and lifeboats at the Classic Boat Museum. The Cowes Maritime Museum also has lots of photos and information on yachting and the local shipbuilding industry.

East Cowes is also a centre for aeronautical excellence and the world’s first ‘winglets’ were developed here – these are wing-tips for aircraft that help to save fuel and reduce emissions. And Dodnor is now at the forefront of offshore wind technology – you might spot the 80 metre turbine blades being transported along the Estuary. 

Your idea of fun

This is the Island’s destination for world-class events such as Cowes Week and the Isle of Wight Festival. Smaller events include the Isle of Wight Literary Festival at Northwood House, which showcases local writers alongside internationally renowned authors, and the Isle of Wight Jazz Festival that brings the best of UK jazz to Newport every year.

Another highlight is the Royal Isle of Wight County Show, which was given its Royal status by Queen Victoria who exhibited her sheep here. This event at the Isle of Wight County Showground in Northwood lets you experience a slice of Island life, celebrating our rural heritage and local produce.

If you prefer ‘hands on’ entertainment, there are lots of outdoor activities that take advantage of the beautiful local environment. Walking and cycling are popular as the paths are safe, flat and family friendly, with places to eat and drink along the way. 

The area is famous for yachting, attracting everyone from beginners to the biggest names in sailing. From Cowes, Gurnard and East Cowes you can go sailing, kayaking, swimming, or just watch the boats go by. The Medina Estuary is quieter, but that’s its charm, and you can take part in rowing and sailing, or hire a water taxi to a riverside pub.

Budding artists and makers can head for The Quay Arts Centre, the Island’s creative hub in Newport, where you can try everything from pottery to printmaking at their popular art workshops. 

Places to stay

Do you prefer to stay by the coast or in the countryside? Fortunately on the Island you’re never far from either. If you love the water then how about booking into a lodge with a hot tub at a holiday park that has its own private bay, or spoil yourself with a stay at a Grade II luxury town house hotel in the heart of Cowes. For a rural escape you could take an apartment in a Royal castle, book into an eco-house on the edge of a forest, or stay at an equestrian centre and go on a beach or trail ride – you can even bring your horse!

Credit: This Medina Valley marketing project is funded by the Department for Communities and Local Government, with additional funding and coordination by Natural Enterprise, on behalf of the Medina Valley Coastal Community Team.