Yarmouth Castle on the Isle of Wight had its best-ever year in 2023, with a record number of people enjoying a visit to the Tudor fortress. Visitor numbers for 2023 were up 4% on 2022. Yarmouth Castle was once one of Henry VIII’s most sophisticated coastal fortresses. It was designed to guard the western entrance to the Solent and prevent capture of the Isle of Wight as a prelude to larger assaults on the south of England. English Heritage has claimed that more families than ever are visiting historic sites, proving that castles, abbeys and stately homes are still a popular day out despite economic uncertainty. Kate Logan, Historic Properties Director at English Heritage, has said:
“Everyone remembers the first castle they ever visited, and what I think we’re seeing in these numbers is a desire amongst parents to pass on that experience of wonder and awe and might. And what better way to relive that than through the eyes of their own children? “For us, it’s an absolute pleasure to see so many families enjoying our sites, especially as we’ve been working so hard to share their great stories in ways that appeal to every member of the family.”
Yarmouth Castle and Sandham castle were built from the stone taken from quarr abbey during the devaluation of Rome also smaller forts armed with cannons were located on the the east side of Bembridge harbour and in Sandown close to the co op petrol station