
Newtown River is located off the south coast of England within the Western Solent, on the northwestern shore of the Isle of Wight. This is an anchorage that lies immediately off the western edge of the approach to the entrance to the Newtown River.
Situated on the coast in the Western Solent, this is a tolerable anchorage in settled conditions, just out of the full run of the current. Access is straightforward in almost all states of the tide, night or day.
Keyfacts for Newtown River Entrance
Last modified
May 7th 2025 Summary* Restrictions apply
A tolerable location with straightforward access.Best time to enter or exit
The Western Approaches to The Solent and the run-up to SouthamptonFacilities
Nature
Considerations
Position and approaches
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Haven position
This is located over about two metres immediately west of the 130°T alignment of the leading beacons for Newtown River. The front beacon is a post with a red and white banded 'Y' top mark; the rear is a beacon with a white disk and a red circle top mark.
What are the key points of the approach?
Refer to Western Approaches to the Solent
for appropriate navigational guidance. Final approaches are available in the Newtown River
entry.
Not what you need?
Click the 'Next' and 'Previous' buttons to progress through neighbouring havens in a coastal 'clockwise' or 'anti-clockwise' sequence. Below are the ten nearest havens to Newtown River Entrance for your convenience.
Ten nearest havens by straight line charted distance and bearing:
- Newtown River - 0.3 nautical miles SE
- Salt Mead Ledge - 1.4 nautical miles ENE
- Thorness Bay - 2.1 nautical miles ENE
- Gull Island - 3.3 nautical miles NNE
- Gins Farm - 3.5 nautical miles N
- Yarmouth - 3.5 nautical miles WSW
- Buckler's Hard - 4.4 nautical miles N
- Lymington - 4.5 nautical miles WNW
- Lymington Yacht Haven - 4.5 nautical miles WNW
- Berthon Lymington Marina - 4.8 nautical miles WNW
These havens are ordered by straight line charted distance and bearing, and can be reordered by compass direction or coastal sequence:
- Newtown River - 0.3 miles SE
- Salt Mead Ledge - 1.4 miles ENE
- Thorness Bay - 2.1 miles ENE
- Gull Island - 3.3 miles NNE
- Gins Farm - 3.5 miles N
- Yarmouth - 3.5 miles WSW
- Buckler's Hard - 4.4 miles N
- Lymington - 4.5 miles WNW
- Lymington Yacht Haven - 4.5 miles WNW
- Berthon Lymington Marina - 4.8 miles WNW
What's the story here?
_with_the_anchorage_off_the_hampstead_right.jpg)
Image: Michael Harpur
Newtown River, also known as Newtown Creek, is a large natural inland harbour on the northwestern coast of the Isle of Wight, named after the nearby village of Newtown. It is renowned for its unspoilt beauty, tranquillity, and ecological significance, making it one of the best examples of an undisturbed natural harbour on the south coast of England.

Image: Michael Harpur
This anchorage lies on the western edge of the river's approach path, just outside the harbour entrance in approximately two metres of water. The location is somewhat protected by Hampstead Ledge and the Newtown Gravel Banks, which help shield anchored vessels from the main tidal run of the Western Solent.

Image: Michael Harpur
Add to this its good holding, over mainly mud and sand, provides a tolerable and convenient anchorage in settled weather for lunch stops, tide waits, or even overnight stays when Newtown Harbour is crowded.
How to get in?

Image: Michael Harpur
Guidance and a tidal timer for a Western approach can be found in Western Approaches to The Solent and the run-up to Southampton

Image: Michael Harpur
Approach on the 130°T alignment of the leading beacons; the front beacon is a post with a red/white banded 'Y' top mark; the rear beacon displays a white disk with a red circle top mark as described in the Newtown River

Image: Michael Harpur
Break off to anchor near Hamstead Beach as preferred. However, do remain close to the approach path, as the seabed shelves abruptly and dries as far out as 270 metres from the Hamstead shoreline.

Image: Michael Harpur

Image: Michael Harpur
Those venturing further in will find Newtown Quay is only accessible three hours on either side of high water, and Shalfleet Quay dries beyond its head 1.5 hours on either side of LW springs.
Why visit here?
The area's name, Hampstead, originates from the Old English Hamstede meaning "homestead." It is thought that the name comes from Hamstead Farm, situated about 1.5km in from the shore on the hillside overlooking the estuary. The farm is believed to have had humble medieval origins, but it seems to have gained some standing in the 19th century when it was listed as a 'mansion' with a walled garden.
Image: JW Parker via CC BY SA 2.0
Hamstead Point is a beautiful headland that has remained virtually untouched to this day. It was called into service during World War II, and a short walk along its shingle beach to Hamstead Point will reveal some evidence of that activity. Around the headland, just east of where Hamstead Ledge extends, there is a very unusual, large concrete ramp that leads down into the water at high tide. The ramp was once the site of a depot for the Western Solent antisubmarine barrier or boom. The barrier stretched between Hamstead Point and Sowley on the mainland and had a corresponding Eastern Solent barrier that extended from Seaview across to Southsea via the two sea forts. The barriers consisted of a line of iron girders driven into the seabed at intervals to create a physical barrier with nets between them in deeper waters. The slipway was also used for tank landing practice during WWII and serves as a good seamark today for the Hampstead Ledges that extend out from it footing.

Image: CC0 1.0 Universal
The primary function of the barriers was to prevent submarines from slipping through, but the shallow water posts also thwarted fast attack craft, such as E-boats, from getting through by fringing the shores. The flotation buoys were most likely launched from the Hamstead Point ramp, and there was an observation post monitoring the boom from the cliff above. The ramp was also used as a launching point for amphibious craft trials and tank landing practice. Inshore from the depot was one of the Isle of Wight's ten heavy anti-aircraft sites. Though little sign of it remains today, in its time, it was equipped with four 3.7-inch guns and a Bofors gun under the command of the 35th Anti-Aircraft Brigade.

Image: Michael Harpur
All this is a far cry from the Hampstead of today. The coastline here is largely undeveloped, with few properties and a landscape of low-lying marshland, ancient woodland, and saltwater marshes. Those with family aboard can enjoy the shingle beach, its tree line providing ample protection from the prevailing winds. The shingle beach offers an excellent spot to land and have a barbecue while overlooking the anchored yacht with the Western Solent as a backdrop.

Image: Michael Harpur
Walkers will find Hamstead Point an excellent location to pick up on two major island walks, the Hamstead Trail and Cowes to Yarmouth coastal path. The Hampstead walk traverses the Island from north to south, passing alongside saltwater marshes and over downland (full walk 7 mi/12 km/3 hours one way). Likewise, the Cowes to Yarmouth coastal walk passes along the coast here (a complete walk of 16 mi/26 km, 16 hours one way). It runs significantly inland around the Newtown River estuary and the firing range, rejoining the frontage at Thorness Bay.

Image: Michael Harpur
From a boating perspective, this spot provides an exceptionally convenient anchorage, whether for a lunch break, waiting on the tide, or an overnight stay in calm conditions. Its key advantage lies in the shelter offered by Hampstead Ledge against the Western Solent currents, complemented by some protection from the Newtown Gravel Banks.

and goings' of Newtown Harbour
Image: Michael Harpur
Among the two Western Solent coastal anchorages with minimal tidal influence—the other being Salt Mead to the east—this location is the more sheltered of the two. Additionally, its direct access, reliable holding, and picturesque setting with stunning views across the Solent combine to make it a truly appealing destination.
What facilities are available?
There are no facilities off this remote beach.Any security concerns?
Never an issue known to have occurred to a vessel visiting Newtown River.With thanks to:
Davie Flannagan, Newtown River Harbour Master.About Newtown River Entrance
The area's name, Hampstead, originates from the Old English Hamstede meaning "homestead." It is thought that the name comes from Hamstead Farm, situated about 1.5km in from the shore on the hillside overlooking the estuary. The farm is believed to have had humble medieval origins, but it seems to have gained some standing in the 19th century when it was listed as a 'mansion' with a walled garden.

Image: JW Parker via CC BY SA 2.0
Hamstead Point is a beautiful headland that has remained virtually untouched to this day. It was called into service during World War II, and a short walk along its shingle beach to Hamstead Point will reveal some evidence of that activity. Around the headland, just east of where Hamstead Ledge extends, there is a very unusual, large concrete ramp that leads down into the water at high tide. The ramp was once the site of a depot for the Western Solent antisubmarine barrier or boom. The barrier stretched between Hamstead Point and Sowley on the mainland and had a corresponding Eastern Solent barrier that extended from Seaview across to Southsea via the two sea forts. The barriers consisted of a line of iron girders driven into the seabed at intervals to create a physical barrier with nets between them in deeper waters. The slipway was also used for tank landing practice during WWII and serves as a good seamark today for the Hampstead Ledges that extend out from it footing.

Image: CC0 1.0 Universal
The primary function of the barriers was to prevent submarines from slipping through, but the shallow water posts also thwarted fast attack craft, such as E-boats, from getting through by fringing the shores. The flotation buoys were most likely launched from the Hamstead Point ramp, and there was an observation post monitoring the boom from the cliff above. The ramp was also used as a launching point for amphibious craft trials and tank landing practice. Inshore from the depot was one of the Isle of Wight's ten heavy anti-aircraft sites. Though little sign of it remains today, in its time, it was equipped with four 3.7-inch guns and a Bofors gun under the command of the 35th Anti-Aircraft Brigade.

Image: Michael Harpur
All this is a far cry from the Hampstead of today. The coastline here is largely undeveloped, with few properties and a landscape of low-lying marshland, ancient woodland, and saltwater marshes. Those with family aboard can enjoy the shingle beach, its tree line providing ample protection from the prevailing winds. The shingle beach offers an excellent spot to land and have a barbecue while overlooking the anchored yacht with the Western Solent as a backdrop.

Image: Michael Harpur
Walkers will find Hamstead Point an excellent location to pick up on two major island walks, the Hamstead Trail and Cowes to Yarmouth coastal path. The Hampstead walk traverses the Island from north to south, passing alongside saltwater marshes and over downland (full walk 7 mi/12 km/3 hours one way). Likewise, the Cowes to Yarmouth coastal walk passes along the coast here (a complete walk of 16 mi/26 km, 16 hours one way). It runs significantly inland around the Newtown River estuary and the firing range, rejoining the frontage at Thorness Bay.

Image: Michael Harpur
From a boating perspective, this spot provides an exceptionally convenient anchorage, whether for a lunch break, waiting on the tide, or an overnight stay in calm conditions. Its key advantage lies in the shelter offered by Hampstead Ledge against the Western Solent currents, complemented by some protection from the Newtown Gravel Banks.

and goings' of Newtown Harbour
Image: Michael Harpur
Among the two Western Solent coastal anchorages with minimal tidal influence—the other being Salt Mead to the east—this location is the more sheltered of the two. Additionally, its direct access, reliable holding, and picturesque setting with stunning views across the Solent combine to make it a truly appealing destination.
Other options in this area
Click the 'Next' and 'Previous' buttons to progress through neighbouring havens in a coastal 'clockwise' or 'anti-clockwise' sequence. Alternatively here are the ten nearest havens available in picture view:
Coastal clockwise:
Newtown River - 0.2 miles SESalt Mead Ledge - 0.9 miles ENE
Thorness Bay - 1.3 miles ENE
Cowes Harbour Commissioners - 3.1 miles ENE
Cowes Yacht Haven - 3.1 miles ENE
Coastal anti-clockwise:
Yarmouth - 2.2 miles WSWTotland Bay - 3.6 miles WSW
Alum Bay - 4.3 miles WSW
Scratchell's Bay - 4.7 miles WSW
Freshwater Bay - 3.2 miles SW
Navigational pictures
These additional images feature in the 'How to get in' section of our detailed view for Newtown River Entrance.











_with_the_anchorage_off_the_hampstead_right.jpg)


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