yarmouth whats the big attraction

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freddy the frog

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Bank holiday looming will it be the usual pre booking weeks in advance, boats hanging around outside waiting for a cancellation, all waiting to be shoe horned in. Its a ferry terminal, half dozen shops, couple of pubs, i dont get it whats the big attraction.
 
Where else do you go? There really aren't many destinations on the IoW (or even in the Western Solent). Yarmouth used to have a certain charm when it was pile moorings and rubber duck to shore. It is a nice little town - good enough pubs and pleasant walks.
 
Yarmouth is a great place nice atmosphere Michelin Star Chefs at the George On the Rocks Steak House ,Saltys and the Indian Tapas
ok since it 's all walk ashore the fun has gone out of watching people try to pile moor, comes alive during Old Gaffers week good pubs nice walks
Cowes bit more busy full of sailors East Cowes more of a mix of the two.
If you want peace and quiet Newtown and Beaulieu are favourite .
Lymington on the English side of the Solent is a nice place but very busy after that Beaulieu after that hmmmm nowhere really springs to mind .
Tim
 
old gaffers week fine, half dozen shops couple of expensive restaurants and watching the ferries go in and out. shouldnt get too bored doing that over 3 days
 
I am put off Yarmouth by the non-refundable berthing cost if you decide not to go. However, did you know that if you book a rally you get 10% off the berthing cost and only have to cough up a £25 non-refundable deposit.

A rally is 5 boats of more so if 5 boats got together you could all berth next to each other, save 10% and only cost you a fiver each if the weather went tits up.
 
I'm surprised no one has mentioned the obvious points.

Deep water at all states of tide.
Sheltered.
Easy entrance in anything but a mighty Northerly blow.
2 Working boat yards.
Lots of marine services, chandlers, sail maker, marine engineer.
Gas, water, electric, fuel, water taxis.

Its a very good harbour even if you don't much like the destination.
 
Like Tim I think Yarmouth has a fair amount to offer. As a place of refuge we have breathed a sigh of relief on more than one occasion when conditions deteriorated out at sea.

Old Gaffers is a great event, loads going on and arriving by boat you have a retreat in the heart of the action.

A number of places to eat, some great walks and bike rides. If you fancy popping over to Lymington it only takes a couple of minutes so 2 very different places within a stone's throw of each other.

On the downside I have noticed Yarmouth's prices rise to a point where we have chosen to go elsewhere on occasion. It used to be that Yarmouth offered great value now I think they are expensive, particularly when showers are charged on top of the berthing fees. That is both naughty and unnecessary particularly when you are rafted. Marinas I had always seen as expensive are now no more expensive and in some cases cheaper than Yarmouth.

They have re-invested money and seem to completely re-design the pontoons every winter, the staff are also adept at squeezing you in where ever possible. They manage their space well.

But ultimately Yarmouth is worthy of a visit from time to time. Alum bay, Hurst Castle, Newton Creek and as previously mentioned Lymington are all close by.

Oh, and I'm not sure there are Michelin star chefs at all those venues are there Tim?


Henry :)
 
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I agree with Henry. If I'm the one paying then Yarmouth is off the list in Summer. Good out of season. Festivities weekend two weeks before Christmas is worth going to.
If going make sure you reserve not just the marina but a place to eat as well.
I don't really understand why people bother with the moorings outside. They are not particulary sheltered and are not that cheap especially if using the water taxi. If the 'harbour full' sign is up then it's across to Lyminton or up to Newtown.

Midweek in Yarmouth in the Summer would be fine except for the price.
 
I really like Yarmouth. Had some great visits there - old gaffers is great fun and some of the pubs are good. It's got a real holiday feel about the place much like some places in Cornwall. Quick hop over to Lymington. Lovely!

However, the swinging moorings outside are very expensive if you have a few people on board and fancy a bite and a wander for an hour or so. Moored just outside the entrance for a few hours with 6 on board is ridiculous. £2 each way is £24 quid for the water taxi, plus £7 for the mooring (for my old boat) = a very expensive lunch. On the other hand, stay the night on a finger pontoon and it's pretty much like everywhere else.
 
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