In 1868 Newport was described as a parish, seaport, and market town, municipal and parliamentary borough, in the West Medina liberty, in the Isle of Wight division, of county Hants, 5 miles S. of Cowes, 7 S.W. of Ryde, and 82 S.W. from London. It is situated on a gentle elevation, and is bounded on the E. by the chief branch of the river Medina, and on the W. by a small stream which joins the latter at the quay, when it becomes navigable to the Solent sea-channel at Cowes. Newport is a flourishing and rising town.