Yarmouth Castle

Yarmouth Castle is a former coastal fort, now a Scheduled Ancient Monument, begun after a French raid in 1545 and in use by 1547. Built by George Mills, it represents a new departure in fortifications, being the first arrow-headed bastion constructed in England. Modifications were made by Richard Worsley, Captain of the Island, and further alterations continued until approximately 1670 when Sir Robert Holmes, Governor of the Island, filled in the moat, renewed additions, and established the present entrance. The castle was garrisoned until 1885.

Constructed of ashlar, with a portion of the south front in red brick, the castle has a square plan with sides nearly 100 feet long, and a sharply pointed bastion at the southeast corner. Originally, the north and west walls faced the sea, while the south and east sides were protected by a moat. The original entrance was on the east side, featuring a four-centred arched entrance with a carved royal coat of arms above. A subsequent entrance on the south side also has a four-centred archway.

To the right of the south entrance is a gunner’s lodging dating to the early 17th century and a brick magazine of approximately 1718, notable for its beehive-shaped roof. To the left is the Master Gunner’s house of around 1560, with a top storey added in 1609, constructed of ashlar with a renewed slate roof, gable ends with kneelers, and three storeys. It features three windows and attic floor gabled dormers with kneelers. Mullioned windows are visible. A four-centred arched doorcase is located on the left-hand side.

The ground floor kitchen contains a massive wooden lintel over the fireplace and a bread-oven. A corner garderobe pit is also present. One first-floor chamber has a 17th-century stone fireplace with a plain chamfered end beam with ovolo moulding and bar stops. Another chamber features a four-centred arched fireplace with heart-shaped stops (1609), a four-centred arched fireplace with high stops and relieving arch, and a small garderobe chamber in the corner with a square-headed opening. An attic room over the kitchen has a renewed roof of scalloped principal rafters and a tie beam with a heart-shaped stop. An attic room over the parlour has a 17th-century brick fireplace and a plain collar beam roof.

The Long Room of 1632, constructed atop four earlier barrel vaults, is located to the right-hand side. This structure is of brick with a tiled roof and has a roof structure with tie beams and collars. The platform, built between 1559 and 1565, was intended to carry the heavier armament of the castle parapet, with the parapet itself dating to 1632. Its rounded internal angles date from 1813. The remains of four rails from a traversing carriage used for 19th-century guns are also present.