Folly Reach is located off the south coast of England within The Solent, and at the heart of the Isle Of Wight. It offers a mid-river pontoon, with the possibility of a walk-ashore berth, in a particularly attractive location with an excellent pub.

Set more than two miles from the river's entrance and in the centre of the Isle of Wight the Folly Inn offers complete protection. Access is straightforward in all reasonable conditions, day or night, and for moderate draft vessels at all stages of the tide.

Deeper draft vessels will need to check depths at low water springs. Being a favourite for most cruisers, it can get overrun on summer weekends.

Keyfacts for Folly Inn

Position and approaches

Haven position

50° 44.010' N, 001° 16.917' W

This is the position of the Folly Inn shore pontoon.

What are the initial fixes?

The following waypoints will set up a final approach:

(i) River Medina entrance

50° 46.110' N, 001° 18.035' W

This is at the entrance to Cowes and the river Medina. The initial fix is situated about 100 metres north of the No.1 Starboard Channel marker buoy Q.G.

(ii) River Medina entrance

50° 46.110' N, 001° 18.035' W

This is at the entrance to Cowes and the river Medina. The initial fix is situated about 100 metres north of the No.1 Starboard Channel marker buoy Q.G.

What are the key points of the approach?

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What's the story here?

The Folly Reach moorings are situated on the River Medina 2½ miles upriver from the entrance to Cowes. Its berths are predominantly alongside a mid-river pontoon situated on the west side of the river, but there are some walk-ashore berths alongside the jetty that fronts the Folly Inn. Folly Reach offers a very good berth alongside an excellent Inn in a quiet stretch of the river where the Medina's beauty may be enjoyed.




At high water, the River Medina is navigable all the way to Newport, but Folly Reach is freely accessible by the vast majority of vessels at all states of the tide. Boats with deeper drafts may require some planning, particularly during Springs. The river has 2 metres LWS up to Medham, where the port hand red No. 8 Fl.R.2s is situated. About 300 metres to the south of this mark, depths start to drop to about 1 metre LWS to the Folly Inn Pontoon. Vessels carrying 1.8 metres have enough water for an hour and a half on either side of LWS.




Since the construction of a new 350-metre breakwater, protecting Cowes' outer harbour from northerly winds, the river has been subject to silting, and depths may be reduced. Nevertheless, those who are pushing the margins will find the river highly protected and its bed entirely made up of soft silt. If a vessel were to run aground for a short period, it would be in no danger and would await a rise. The Folly Launch is more than happy to run downriver to take off the crew members who would prefer to wait for the rise in the Folly Inn.




Berths are usually available, £2.00 per night per meter, short stay £l.25 per tide [2025], but it is possible to guarantee a berth by emailing follymoorings@hotmail.com and making arrangements in advance. Making advance arrangements during Cowes Week and the Round Island Race, when berths are highly sought after, is particularly advisable. In all cases, it is best to contact the Folly Inn Berthing Masters Ch. 72 [Folly Launch], +44 7974 864 627 at the port hand red No. 8 East Medham buoy. They are happy to assist, and the notice helps them to optimise their berthing arrangements. As a rule, they could not be more helpful and are only too delighted to support the berthing of boats, including taking lines or providing a vessel with a helpful nudge. Other useful numbers are the Folly Waterbus +44 7974 864627 and the
Folly Inn +44 1983 297171.

How to get in?

The guide for Cowes and the River Medina offers a tide timer and sailing directions for the approach and journey up the river to Newtown.

Those approaching from the west will find that the guide Western Approaches to The Solent and the run-up to Southampton details the methods for entry via The Needles, the Western Solent, including its eastern shorelines to the north and south, and onward to connect with this guide from the west.

Similarly, Eastern Approaches to The Solent and the run-up to Southampton Water describes approaches to the Eastern Solent, the eastern side of the Isle of Wight, and the northeastern coastline, covering the eastern Solent waters and their shorelines to the north and south, and onward to connect with this guide from the east.




The visitors' pontoons are situated on the floating pontoon on the west side of the river. Land at the Folly Inn jetty by tender or make use of the Folly Launch. Berthing fees (2016) 1.45 per metre.




A handful of berths are available on the pontoon outside the Folly Inn. These provide power, water, and walk-ashore access, but special arrangements with the Folly Inn are required. The Folly Waterbus runs a service to Cowes (30 minutes, circa £10 return per person) throughout the year. Call Dave Ch. 77 or + 44 7974 864 627.




Just above the Folly Inn, the river widens into Folly Lake and dries less than ½ mile to the south. Island Harbour Marine , located about ½ mile above Folly Inn, is accessible on a favourable tide. Vessels with a 2-metre draught can carry on upriver and reach the Island capital of Newport 1½ hours before HW Portsmouth and 2½ after HW Portsmouth.

Why visit here?

The River Medina derives its name from the Old English word ‘Meðune’ meaning ‘the middle one’. The name was most likely chosen for being the middle of the island’s three main rivers, and for almost dividing the island in two from south to north across its middle. Its current ‘Medina’ pronunciation was first recorded in 1196.




All the island’s main rivers flow northwards and are, or have been, tidal estuaries for part of their length. The island's other river is the Yar to the east, which enters into the sea near Bembridge, and is sometimes known as the ‘East Yar’ to differentiate it from the other main river Yar, sometimes known as the ‘West Yar’, that enters the sea at Yarmouth and is estuarine for most of its short length. The Medina is by far the largest of the three and was once a tributary of the ‘River Solent’ when it would have had a much larger catchment area. At the end of the ice age, The Solent Valley flooded, the island eroded, and the Medina received less water flow and more sediment, causing it to become predominantly tidal. It is bridged today at Newport, the island capital, where it emerges as a stream descending from the chalk springs of St. Catherine’s Down on the island's south side. The river is navigable northwards from Newport on the tide, after which it takes the form of a drowned valley or Ria.


The origin of the Folly Inn dates back to the early eighteenth century. At this time, a French smuggler barge called the Foliaire, meaning 'foliage', beached here. Locals from the island's east side would visit the Foliaire and buy illegal liquor. When the barge finally ran out of alcohol, its timbers were used to build the original Folly Inn. The Inn then established itself by offering beer and alcohol sourced from legitimate suppliers. A small section of a beam from the original Foliaire barge can be seen today displayed in a small case hanging on the back wall of the Inn.


A twenty-minute stroll inland from the Inn, through attractive ascending pastoral fields, brings a visitor to Whippingham’s beautiful St. Mildred's Church, which can be seen above the tree line from the moorings. Being dedicated to the Anglo-Saxon princess St. Mildred, who died about 700 AD, the church has deep Anglo-Saxon roots. It was rebuilt by the Normans, who recorded it in the Doomsday Book of 1086, and it retained its Norman design until the beginning of the 19th century. Then, the renowned architect John Nash, the favourite architect of George IV, almost entirely levelled the original structure and rebuilt it to his own design. In 1845 Queen Victoria and Prince Albert bought Osborne House and Whippingham, the centre of the estate supporting Osborne House, Barton Manor, and its little village church, which became a centre of royal interest.


Queen Victoria did not like Nash’s redesign and set about transforming the church for the use of the Royal Family when in residence at Osborne. The architect Albert Jenkins Humbert, who later designed Sandringham amongst many commissions for Victoria, was retained for the redesign. Prince Albert took an active role in its aesthetics, and his guiding hand can be seen in the church’s distinctive turrets, which imitate those found in a German castle. Queen Victoria and Prince Albert personally laid the foundation stone for building a new church, and the first service took place in the church in January 1862. Sadly, Prince Albert was not present for the service as he had been ill for at least two years and passed away in the middle of December 1861. Following the death of Prince Albert, four-year-old Princess Beatrice, the fifth daughter and youngest child of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, became Queen Victoria's devoted companion throughout her grief as her elder sisters married and left their mother.


St. Mildred's is now in a united benefice with St. James's Church, East Cowes. The church has remained virtually unchanged over the past century and is rich in royal history today. The extraordinary little rural church retains within its walls many beautiful, interesting and historical features that are far too many to mention here. Among them is the homely chair that Queen Victoria sat on, which was situated close to the private entrance used by the royal family. Nearby on the wall is the beautiful memorial of white, green and pink marble that Queen Victoria commissioned for the memory of Prince Albert. The church also contains the tomb of Princess Beatrice, who was the last of Queen Victoria's children to pass in 1944, and her husband Prince Henry of Battenberg. These and many other items of historical interest can be seen today as the church receives visitors from Monday to Thursday, including bank holidays during the sailing season, and also benefits from having a tea room across the road.




Folly Reach provides a wonderful Medina berth where its quiet reaches can be fully enjoyed. If the weather is fine, turning the boat to face north to fill the cockpit with sunshine throughout the day is worth it. Ashore, the Folly Inn has to be close to the perfect riverside pub, with its good food and friendly nature, making it a favourite with sailors. Apart from the inn and the picture-perfect church, there is little else ashore, but Newport is accessible by dinghy on the rise and by bus from the top of the road leading down to the inn. There is also a wonderful riverside pathway or country walk, to the island’s capital along the bank of the river.




One of the Follie’s easily overlooked assets is the water taxi service operated by the berthing masters. Situated midway along the four-mile run between Cowes and Newport, the latter half being tidal, the water taxis provide an on-demand, fast and efficient service between the towns. This capability is well worth noting during Cowes Week and the Round Island Race when Cowes can become overwhelmed with visiting boats, and their prices elevate. A Folly berth may always be guaranteed by an e-mail in advance, and although it cannot guarantee an unbooked berth during these two significant events, it has never failed to accommodate any vessel that has randomly turned up in the past 15 years.




The advantage of the Folly is that they do not raise their fees during these events, making their berths a diminutive fraction of the Cowes’ cost. Add the water taxi service to this, and berthing has a little disadvantage. Celebrators can be swiftly dropped into the heart of the action in Cowes and collected into the early hours for what would be a fraction of the saving in berthing fees. It is also worth noting that the water taxi service to Cowes may be used free of charge during the ‘Round the Island Race’. From 3 pm to midnight on the day before the race and from 3 pm to 1 am on the day of the race, the taxi service is typically sponsored by JP Morgan. The taxi service also greatly facilitates provisioning runs to Cowes or Newport along with crew changes directly to the Cowes ferry jetties. The taxi service truly makes the Folly a viable alternative to a berth in the heart of very busy Cowes.




From a sailing perspective, the Folly has to rank as one of the most easily addressed, pleasant and effective berths available to a cruiser on the Isle of Wight.

What facilities are available?

The mid-river pontoon has no water nor electricity but the walk ashore jetty in front of the Inn has power and water. It is possible to come in temporarily to fill the water tanks. The Folly has a scrubbing berth for vessels up to 10.5 metres LOA and 1.80m draft on spring tides. Apply to Medina Mariners Association P: +44 1983 866667. Alternatively low water at Newport, 2 miles above, presents an ideal opportunity to scrub off. Coin operated showers can be found to the rear of the Folly Inn. The Inn serves good food and has entertainments, most notably its lively table dancing, on Saturday nights. Apart from that there is little in the area.

Cowes, passed on entry, caters for all marine services and facilities a vessel could require. Petrol and diesel are available from Lallow's Boatyard, between Cowes Yacht Haven and Shepards Wharf or more conveniently at Cowes Harbour Fuels, +44 1983 200716, south of the chain ferry. Cowes Harbour Fuels also supply Calor gas. Water can be obtained at Trinity Landing, Town Quay, Whitegates walk ashore pontoon and Thetis pontoon as well as the Folly Jetty. The Town Quay has scrubbing berths next to the Harbour Office as does the Folly Inn for smaller boats.

The water taxi service (2016) charges £10 return to Cowes or Newport per adult and £7 one way. Island Harbour marina is £3 or a short stroll. Newport can be reached by dinghy on the rise or by bus from a stop located about 10 minutes’ walk from the Inn. It has excellent provisioning capability. Likewise Cowes has excellent provisioning and it may be reached by water taxi at any time.

Any security concerns?

Never an issue known to have occurred to a vessel moored in Folly Reach.

With thanks to:

Dave Foyle, Bob Holt, Phil Glover and Matty Jones Folly Berthing Master. Photography Michael Harpur, Steve Fareham, David Dixon, Peter Trimming and an especial thank you to Ronald Saunders.