Henry VIII’s Castle in Yarmouth
Quay Street, Yarmouth, PO41 0PB
Yarmouth Castle—an interesting point of coastal defence, built with Henry VIII’s usual flair for overreacting to potential invasions. It’s part of his grandiose chain of fortifications stretching from Milford Haven to Hull, designed to keep out the French and Spanish, who were apparently always a bit too keen on gate-crashing England.
This castle isn’t just a pretty relic by the sea, though. Inside, you’ll find the garrison’s humble quarters, a sharp-looking arrowhead bastion, and powder magazines just waiting for a history buff to marvel at them. Even after the Spanish Armada got its comeuppance, the paranoia lingered.
Between 1597 and 1602, more outer defences were hastily slapped up at Carisbrooke, just in case the Spanish fancied a rematch. They threw in some new anti-cannon tricks to make the medieval castle feel a bit more current—because nothing says “modern” like a revamped fortress.
Image: isle-of-wight-news/shock-as-yarmouth-mayor-resigns/
Meanwhile, the museum in the court offers a nostalgic glimpse into Tudor life, complete with heavy furniture designed more for intimidation than comfort. Sir George Carey’s grand Tudor mansion once stood here too, a veritable palace for the man in charge of the Isle of Wight. But today, all that’s left is a sorry shell, whispering of the opulence that once was. Carey lived like a king, though ironically, the actual king wouldn’t be so lucky.
By the time the Civil War broke out, the island found itself swiftly under Parliament’s thumb. King Charles I, always the optimist, made a break for it in 1647, hoping to win over Colonel Robert Hammond, the governor of the Isle of Wight. The king thought Hammond might just switch sides and back the Royalists. Spoiler alert: he didn’t. Poor Hammond, caught between his duty to Parliament and his obligation to the crown, must’ve had quite the headache trying to please both his employers and his monarch. Spoiler alert: he didn’t manage that either.