Yarmouth
Yarmouth was the first settlement on the Isle of the Wight to be awarded a royal charter, in 1135. Yarmouth, situated at the mouth of the river Yar, is a charming little port that attracts yachtsmen all year round. Its streets are narrow and cobbled, full of old cottages, souvenir shops and traditional pubs. As so many places of the Isle of Wight, Yarmouth developed during the 19 th century when it attracted the interest of Victorian tourists, who began to arrive in large numbers in steamboats. The town was attacked by the French in 1377 and 1524, and suffered several raids until Henry VIII improved its security by building a stone castle which was completed in 1547. It is the earliest example of a single arrowhead bastion.
Yarmouth has several other buildings with distinguished pedigrees. The Church of St James dates back from the early 17 th century when it was significantly rebuilt. Although it has somewhat of an odd looking tower, which was added in 1831, its chapel is full of charm and supposedly houses the body of the 17 th century king of France, Louis XIV.
On the mill-pond sits the old tide-mill that dates back to the late 18 th century. Unfortunately, it has not been in use since the construction of the railway embankment across the pond. Toady the railway itself is disused, having been turned into a nature trail that follows, for some of the way, the east bank of the River Yar.