Newport is a town located off the south coast of England at about the centre of the Isle of Wight. It is situated at the head of the River Medina, about four and a half miles above the entrance at Cowes, where the river is tidal. The town offers the option of drying out alongside its quay walls or pontoons in the heart of the town.

Set almost in the middle of the island and dry most of the time, the town offers complete protection from all conditions. During daylight hours, safe access may be had at the top of the tide in all reasonable conditions.

Keyfacts for Newport

Position and approaches

Haven position

50° 42.282' N, 001° 17.450' W

This is the north end of the drying pontoons.

What are the key points of the approach?

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What's the story here?

Newport is a port and market town, as well as the capital of the island. It is located slightly north of the centre of the Isle of Wight, 4½ miles upriver at the navigable limit of the River Medina. The Medina is lit and navigable by boats with a draft of up to 1.8 metres as far as the Folly Inn. Beyond this point, the river quickly dries up, and although it is well marked, its buoys are unlit for the last two miles to Newport.




Today, the port accommodates commercial vessels measuring up to 60 metres in length. Those willing to work with the tides will find Newport an excellent lunch place or an ideal overnight stay. Vessels that can rest on the bottom and dry out lie alongside pontoons, settling onto the soft mud. Single-keel vessels can approach the quay wall and dry over a firm bottom - be sure to ask the harbour master for a fender board.




The town's maximum draft is 2.5 metres during Springs and 1.7 metres during Neaps. Vessels with a 2-metre draught can easily reach Newport 1½ hours before high water at Portsmouth and 2½ hours after high water at Portsmouth, especially during Springs.

The Spring tides in the Solent particularly facilitate this, as Spring high waters generally occur around the middle of the day. This tidal window offers more than 2 metres of water for about four hours on a tide. When planning, it is best to use LW time and height differences for Cowes and the HW height differences for Newport.

However, two hours before high water and up to three hours after, Newport has only 1.3 metres of water. Five hours after high water, the harbour completely dries out to a flat, solid mud bottom, making it crucial to plan accordingly.

Those in any doubt or who wish to make advance berthing arrangements should contact Newport's Harbour Master on [VHF] C.69 or telephone: +44 1983 525994 and +44 7970 009589. The harbour master, Newport Yacht Harbour, has 50 visitor pontoon berths on the eastern and southeastern sides of the basin priced at £2.50 per meter, or a short stay of £1.25 per tide [2025].

In addition to this, on the west side of the river is the privately owned and traditional Odessa Boatyard, which has 75 pontoon berths and five visitor berths. All offer walk ashore pontoons, fully serviced with water and electricity: +44 1983 524337, +44 7964 860449/+44 7966 249350, odessaboatyard@hotmail.co.uk.

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 Cowes and the River Medina 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.





Bilge keel or multihull vessels that can take to the ground may come alongside the visitors' pontoons that line Corporation Quay. These are encountered on the river's east side on the town's final approaches.




Single-keel yachts should continue upstream and come alongside the Town Quay to the south of the pontoon. The Town Quay has space for about half a dozen yachts to come alongside the wall. The harbourmaster's office, located on the quay above, can usually provide a visitor with a fender board to help dry out alongside the wall.





Above the quay, a dual-carriageway road bridge spans the river, creating the navigational limit for sailing vessels. Beyond this, the river soon turns into a stream that disappears into a culvert under an old warehouse, now converted into the Quay Arts Centre.

Why visit here?

Newport is situated slightly north of the Isle of Wight's centre and at the River Medina's navigable head. It was a planned Norman market town that became the principal one on the island. Its name, initially Neuport, indicated that a previous settlement existed before it was regarded as 'new' after being given its 12th-century charter.




Habitation of the area dates back much further than its 12th-century charter. Newport was a Roman settlement then known as Medina. Two Roman villas have been discovered, one of which is Newport Roman Villa, which has been excavated and is now open to the public. As with most of the island, there are no traces of Saxon occupation, though it was most likely used as a port of entrance for the ancient capital of Carisbrooke. Carisbrooke's principal supports as the capital were its castle, the seat of the 'Lords of the Isle of Wight', and the Priory that retained an ecclesiastical dignity.




The first charter was granted to Newport by Richard de Redvers, Lord of the Isle of Wight, between 1177 and 1184. Newport was one of his three planned towns, along with Yarmouth and Newtown, which was then known as Francheville. De Redvers' charter conferred on the town's inhabitants, their heirs and successors, security of tenure and a release from the slavery of serfdom for which they paid 18 marks yearly. The position of his three planned towns was centred on navigable estuaries and sheltered harbours, which focused on their trading capabilities rather than access to good quality agricultural land.




At the time of the Norman Invasion, Newport would have been no more than an insignificant village inhabited by fishermen. It was made the capital of the three new towns because it was the most desirable location on the island. Unlike the other towns, it was surrounded by good land, well watered by the Medina, and provided moored vessels with excellent shelter. Being central, it was convenient for land communications to be sent to every other part of the island. The river also worked tide mills to grind the corn, which enabled it to be traded by the sea beyond and returned tradeable commodities. A considerable trade was carried on in timber, malt, wheat and flour, and it quickly developed. The charter, superior river position for trade, harbour dues and the oyster beds of the Medina caused Newport to rise in importance.




With the new impetus, Newport soon superseded Carisbrooke as the main central settlement of the island. At the time, Carisbrooke was falling into decay as its primary supports had collapsed by then. The Lordship of the Isle had been sold to the Crown, and the castle lost its consequence as the court of the potent baron. Likewise, in the ensuing wars with France, the Priory was sequestered as an alien priory. Carisbrooke was destined to eventually be absorbed by the lesser Newport and become its suburb.




However, the 14th century was to bring a setback to the town in the form of pestilence and war. In 1349, the Black Death came to Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. One-third of the population was believed to have died, but coastal areas took the brunt of the suffering, with losses of more than 50% in many cases. In August 1377, whilst the town was still on its knees, it was raided by the French. They burnt much of Newport to the ground whilst attempting to take Carisbrooke Castle. By recompense, little quarter was given to captured French invaders. They were killed and buried in a large pile of earth, or tumulus, that was later nicknamed 'Noddies Hill' where the word 'noddy was used as a casual medieval word for a corpse. This name softened through the centuries to 'Nodehill', now at Newport's centre. To the casual observer, unaware of its origin, the name would appear at odds with the flat area it describes today.


The town grants were nevertheless repeated and extended by the Countess Isabel de Fortibus, which were confirmed in 1349 by Edward III and afterwards by successive kings. Henry VII, in 1489, granted petty customs within all ports and creeks of the island. The borough was incorporated by James I in 1607, and a second charter of incorporation was granted by Charles I in 1637, by which Newport was governed until 1835. Little did Charles I know in 1637 how much a decade later Newport and Carisbrooke were to feature in the last days of his life.

From 1642, Charles I fought the armies of the English and Scottish parliaments in the English Civil War. After his defeat in 1645, he surrendered to a Scottish force who later handed him over to the English Parliament. In 1647, he refused to accept his captors' demands for a constitutional monarchy and escaped captivity to the Isle of Wight. Though the island had been strongly Royalist during the Civil War, he was surprised to find himself immediately confined to Carisbrooke Castle. Charles continued to try to ally with the Scots from Carisbrooke.

In a secret treaty called the 'Engagement', he secured their commitment to invade England in support of a rising to restore him to the throne. The royalists rose in May 1648, igniting the Second Civil War, and as agreed with Charles, the Scots invaded England. The New Model Army deftly put down the rising in England and defeated the Scots at the 'Battle of Preston in August 1648. After this, the army finally consolidated its control over England, eliminating any chance the Royalists had of winning the war.

With no other recourse, Charles was forced to negotiate the 'Treaty of Newport' with a group of Parliamentary Commissioners. This was aimed at ending the hostilities of the English Civil War. Released on parole from confinement at Carisbrooke Castle, from which he made two ineffectual attempts to escape, negotiations took place in Newport, where he lodged during these talks. Much hollow diplomacy ensued, and although Charles signed the treaty, he showed no commitment to any compromised settlement, and patience was running thin with Cromwell and the army. They viewed him as a bloody tyrant who had already taken action to consolidate his power. In what amounted to a coup, they finally ended it and seized the King in Newport. They then transferred him to Hurst Castle, on the mainland, before bringing him to London. The Treaty of Newport was purged in December 1648, and preparations for the King's trial continued. Charles was convicted of high treason, and on January 30th 1649, before the executioner's axe fell, he observed 'how short is the step between the prisons and the graves of princes. ’.




Newport today is the Isle of Wight shopping centre and principal administrative centre. Though Ryde is the island's largest town, with a population of around 30,000 to Newport's 25,000, Newport is still considered by most to be the island's capital. Newport has undergone various changes recently, including adding two shopping centres and many recent development efforts. This includes Newport Quay, which has new art galleries like the Quay Arts Centre and new flats converted from old warehouses. Nelson Road is the chief centre of the island's bus system, from where a bus can be caught to almost anywhere on the island.




Dotted around the town, there are many places of historical interest. This historic town centres on two elegant squares surrounded by Georgian and Victorian architecture, with the town's quay a short distance away. The magnificent church of St. Thomas of Canterbury, rebuilt in 1854, contains many interesting old monuments, including one by Marochetti to Princess Elizabeth, daughter of Charles I, erected by Queen Victoria. The beautiful guildhall, erected in 1816 from the designs of Nash, includes the town hall. Beneath it is a regular market based across the town on a Tuesday, with a highly rated farmers' market selling a good range of local produce on Fridays. The Museum of Island History, Classic Boat Museum and the Newport Roman Villa are all within walking distance of the town centre. One of the oldest surviving buildings in Newport is the Grammar School, which dates back to 1612. Here, Charles I lodged for 10 weeks while the Treaty of Newport was being negotiated. The historic motte-and-bailey Carisbrooke Castle and the rooms in which Charles was imprisoned are a 30-minute walk away.





From a sailing point of view, Newport Harbour feels like a step back in time, which is a complete contrast to Cowes, especially during Cowes Week. Offering perfect shelter, it makes for an ideal harbour in bad weather. All the town's facilities, including shops, restaurants and a multi-screen cinema, are a short stride from its quay, provisioning is excellent, and there is plenty of historical interest to explore around this beautiful medieval market town. Likewise, being at the heart of the island with the bus service's arterial routes running through, it makes an ideal base to explore the island's many attractions via road.

What facilities are available?

The visitors drying pontoons are fully serviced with water and power. Ablution and laundry facilities are available above on the quayside. The harbourmaster's office provides fender boards for vessels intending on drying out alongside Town Quay. Four slipways can be found around the harbour along with a hand-operated crane.

Countless boatyards along the river Medina can solve any boating problem. Cowes as a whole offers almost any conceivable marine service or facility a vessel could require. Petrol and diesel on the river approaches are available from Lallow's Boatyard, between Cowes Yacht Haven and Shepards Wharf or more conveniently from Cowes Harbour Fuels barge close south of the chain ferry, +44 1983 200716. Cowes Harbour Fuels also supply Calor gas. Newport Town Quay provides excellent scrubbing berths at low water.

Newport, the County Town of the Island, has an abundance of pubs, shops and restaurants. It has all the essentials such as the post office and pharmacists on the High Street, and supermarkets such as Sainsbury's, Somerfield and Marks & Spencer spread out around the town. Likewise all the major banks can be found along the High Street, most with cash machines. The town hosts a market on Tuesdays and a Farmers' market on Fridays.

With thanks to:

Michael Harpur S/Y Whistler.