The Folly Inn

Pub

The Folly Inn sits on the western bank of the River Medina, south of Cowes, and is accessible by road, by foot along the riverside path, or by boat. The waterside position is the pub's defining feature, with a large outdoor terrace and pontoons where visiting boats can tie up directly alongside the pub. In summer, the Folly has the atmosphere of a floating party, with boats rafted alongside, music playing, and the terrace packed with sailors and day-trippers. The pub has a long history and was originally associated with the boat-building yards that lined the Medina during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Today it draws a mixed crowd of sailors, walkers, and visitors who come for the setting and the relaxed, convivial atmosphere. The menu is pub food, and the bar serves a range of beers, wines, and other drinks. The walk along the Medina from Cowes to the Folly is a pleasant riverside stroll of about a mile, passing working boat yards, moorings, and the tidal mud flats that attract wading birds. The Folly is particularly popular during Cowes Week, when it becomes one of the social centres of the regatta and a place to swap sailing stories late into the evening.