Yarmouth

Isle of Wight

Old postcards are sometimes poorly produced and grainy, I've done my best to scan them. Please click thumbnails for full size picture. Dates are from the card or my estimate (where possible). The manufacturer of the card is shown in brackets (where available)

Yarmouth is a historic town on the western side of the Island. It is served by a ferry service from Lymington and is one of smallest towns in England. It also has a sheltered harbour which is popular with yachtsmen. Its name reflects that it is at the mouth of the river Yar, there are actually 2 River Yars on the Island, this is known as the western Yar. This site is not intended to be a comprehensive site about Yarmouth, but rather to show a selection of my Yarmouth postcards. There are numerous books about Yarmouth available, but for an excellent timeline produced on behalf of the Yarmouth Society I suggest:

A Timeline History of Yarmouth

This is typical of the cards sent on arrival at on a seaside holiday, this one is

dated 1925, vessel is believed to be the Glen Rosa, built in 1877.

The first mention of the Town of Yarmouth was in 991 when it was known as Ermud which means 'muddy estuary', there were other variations of this, the most common of which was Eremue. The name Yarmouth does not appear to have been used until the end of the 13th century. The town was apparently granted a charter in 1135 by the then Lord of the Island, Baldwin de Redvers but no evidence of this remains and a second charter was granted in 1334 by King Edward III with a further 4 before the Great Charter of 1609 which was granted by James I.

Being on the coast, the town was open to attack and was burned by the French on two occasions, 1377 and 1543. As the result of the latter, the castle was built in 1545.

Many of the early records of the town were lost in 1784 the box containing them taken by the commander of His Majesties cutter 'Expedition' who having dined with the corporation took them by mistake for his own baggage. They were not returned, and he was subsequently sued by the town corporation for £10,000 but they were awarded only £500 by default.

Yarmouth has always been a major entry port to the Island, a pier was built in the 1870's and restored a few years ago, after attempts to demolish it failed because it was a listed (heritage) building.

Yarmouth Approaches


The Common looking towards Yarmouth from the east, with the pier on the right. Postmarked 1911. (Ideal)	The Common looking east (away from Yarmouth). Postmarked 1922.

View from Yarmouth Common looking towards Yarmouth pier, probably from the 50's. (Nigh)	An unusual view looking along the coast from the east towards Yarmouth Pier. (Judges)

The approach to the old bridge from the west looking towards Yarmouth. The old sandhouse (dating from the 17th century is on the left. Postmarked 1906	A view across the unreclaimed harbour looking towards the Sandhouse, probably from the 1970's. (Dixon)

This is not a postcard, but a photo I took of the old Yar bridge just before its demolition during the late 80's. The Yarmouth Sailing Club (previously the Customs Office) is on the right.	An early aerial view of the harbour before dredging and reclamation of the land to the right of the bridge. (Sun Ray)

View from the town looking over the causeway and bridge towards the West Wight, postmarked 1909. (Peacock)	Sandhard beach, to the west the harbour, undated. This is the only beach in Yarmouth. (Photo Precision)

6 March 2008

Note: This page is not to be confused with any other Yarmouth page. All cards are from my own collection.