River Medina facts for kids
Quick facts for kids River Medina |
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The Medina estuary showing Newport and Cowes.
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| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | St Catherine's Down |
| River mouth | Solent |
| Length | 17 km (11 mi) |
The River Medina is the most important river on the Isle of Wight, England. It starts at St. Catherine's Down near Chale and flows north. The river passes through the main town of Newport before reaching the Solent at Cowes.
From Newport to the Solent, the river is a tidal estuary. This means the sea's tides affect its flow. It looks like a "drowned valley" or ria. This happened because the Medina used to be part of a bigger river system called the "River Solent." As the Solent valley filled with water, the Medina became more tidal and carried more mud.
The river has bridges in Newport. A special chain ferry called the Cowes Floating Bridge connects Cowes to East Cowes. There are also smaller ferries mainly used by sailors.
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What's in a Name?
The name Medina comes from an old English word, Meðune. This word means "the middle one." People first recorded the current way of saying "Medina" as "Medine" in 1196. The only other stream that flows into the Medina is called Lukely Brook.
How the River Changed
In the 1800s, a civil engineer named Henry Daniel Martin helped make the river easier to travel on. He lived in Newport and improved the river's navigation. This made it better for boats to move along.
Fun on the River
The River Medina is a safe place for people who love to sail. Many yachts use it as a harbour. Along the riverbanks, you can still see old warehouses and wharves. In the past, these places were busy. Workers built and developed amazing things there, like flying boats, hovercraft, and steam ships.
Exploring River History
The Classic Boat Museum shows a lot about the river's past. It also teaches visitors about the history of yachting. You can learn how boats and ships have changed over time. The Island Harbour Marina is another interesting spot. It's about two miles from Newport, built where an old tidal mill used to be.
Images for kids
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The River Medina at Shide, just outside Newport.
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The river at Coppins Bridge in Newport.
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Newport Quay, where the estuary begins.
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Looking north from Newport along the estuary.
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A view from the east bank, about a mile north of Newport.
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The river's mouth at Cowes, looking west. The chain ferry is in the middle.
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A snowy scene near Newport. Snow is not very common here!
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See also
In Spanish: Río Medina (isla de Wight) para niños
