Yarmouth
Yarmouth town is a picturesque little town with a lovely harbour. The Lymington car ferry alights here and brings many visitors including cyclists to the town before setting off around the Island.
The summer sees the harbour full of Yachts and with a boatyard and lifeboat on station it can be a busy place in the summer months but however never loses its peaceful charm.
On the street leading from the ferry you will find the entrance to Yarmouth Castle. Henry VIII ordered it to be built as a coastal defence against the French. It has a Master Gunners Parlour, Great Hall and kitchen and is well worth a visit. Further along the same street is the George Hotel. Charles II was entertained here by Sir Robert Holmes, governer of the Island, and today a plaque marks the bedroom where Charles spent the night. In the square stands the town hall which dates back to 1764. A few shops, pubs and restaurants can also be found there. At the north end is the pier which was renovated with the aid of public subscription and is a popular place to both fish and view the solent.
At the south end of the town is the church. To replace the original ruin an appeal was sent out to all the churches and public places throughout southern England by James I. It was rebuilt and open for use in 1626. Inside stands a statue which was brought back to Yarmouth from a captured ship. It was an unfinished statue of Louis XIV. Sir Robert Holmes had his own head sculptured onto the body and it can still be seen today at the altar.
On the eastern shore of the harbour lies the Yarmouth Tide Mill, built in 1793 it was used to meet the high demand for flour arising from the war with France. In more recent times it was owned by the historian A.J.P.Taylor.
There are many lovely walks around Yarmouth - to the east you can walk along the sea wall where there are picnic areas and seats from which to view the Solent and leaving Yarmouth heading west is a coastal walk which takes you to Fort Victoria.
