Cowes Medina Circular
| Route Overview | The route follows the Medina Estuary from East Cowes, down to the Island's county town of Newport and back to Cowes via a traffic free cycleway - a great place for spotting red squirrels. | ||||||
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| Distance - Full | 9 miles / 14.4 km | ||||||
| Typical Time - Full | 2 hours | ||||||
| Start Point | Floating Bridge, East Cowes | ||||||
| End Point | as above - circular route | ||||||
| Start point grid reference | SZ501955 | End point grid reference | as above | ||||
| Type of Route: | Circular | ||||||
| Route Features |
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| Accessibility / Facilities |
Begins near bus route Begins near parking Begins near pub Begins near toilets Ends near bus route Ends near parking Ends near pub Ends near toilets Picnic area enroute Pub enroute Toilets enroute |
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| Terrain |
PROW (Public Right Of Way) Public Byways Roads |
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| Route Description | The route climbs out of East Cowes on relatively quiet roads and passes near to Osborne House - former home of Queen Victoria. As the route turns west towards Newport, cyclists must cross the busy road and use the pavement (shared use). At Medina High School, head through the Arboretum and down the waters edge to Newport Quay. From here you can pick up the Medina Cycleway and have a traffic-free trip back along the western side of the Estuary. Keep an eye out for birds on the mudflats and for squirrels on the cyclepath! The route takes you back to the start point via the chain ferry across the Medina, known as the Floating Bridge - cyclists can travel free of charge. | ||||||
| Terrain Details | An easy, fairly level ride after the long climb out of East Cowes. The Medina Cycleway is very well surfaced. | ||||||
| Additional Info / Warnings | Halfway along the western side of the route is Dodnor Creek Local Nature Reserve - a great place for birdwatching - look out for the interpretation boards on the wooden bridge. | ||||||
| Access Info / Public Transport | The start point is a few yards from the Southampton - East Cowes Ferry terminal - visit www.redfunnel.co.uk for info. | ||||||
| Services / Amenities | East Cowes, Cowes and Newport are sizeable towns with many shops, cafes & pubs. There are picnic tables near the arboretum on the eastern side of the estuary in Newport and also on the western side as you enter the Medina Cycleway. | ||||||
| Type of Bike Required | any type - not rough terrain | ||||||
| Nearby Cycle Hire/Repair Shops | see guidebook | ||||||
| Cycle-Friendly Pubs/Refreshments Enroute | Bargemans Rest in Newport of Folly Inn, Whippingham (off the route but worth the diversion down to the River) | ||||||
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| TSE Accommodation Search | |||||||
| More info | A Guide to Cycling Trails on the Isle of Wight | ||||||
