Yarmouth or Cowes for Lunch?

Peter J · 09 June 2005, 16:30

Thinking of taking a spin over to the Needles on Sunday (12th June). Never been that way before. I thought we might stop for Lunch In Yarmouth but I've not been there before either. Can anyone recommend a good place?

I've been to Cowes and know where to go there for a bit of scoff. Would I be better off going there instead of Yarmouth?

Is it worth exploring up river in Yarmouth?

The Jackeens · 09 June 2005, 16:36

Would recommend the King's Head in Yarmouth Peter J. But other pubs are good too.

(If you want to blow the budget The George is historic and the view is verrry expensive

)

A trip upriver in Yarmouth is well worth it. The berthing masters/ mistresses

in Yarmouth are a mine of useful information as regards tidal tips and places to go.

Worth going to Yarmouth in calmer conditions and Cowes if a bit choppier as you're coming from Southampton.

Have to say we've never regretted a trip to Yarmouth yet!

If we're planning on going that way Sunday, we'll send a pm,

Us

Louise · 09 June 2005, 16:36

Yarmouth is a great little place. Good pubs are The Wheatsheaf (down a little alley), The Bugle (in the main square) and The King's Head. Salty's is good if you like tapas type stuff (and more) and Sian-Elin's is good for seafood but I can't vouch for that as I'm a veggie! There are also a couple of cafes. We can recommend Gossip's (in the square) for great baguettes, a view of the sea and lovely Minghella's ice cream.

I'm not sure how far upstream you can go. I've been a short way during my PB2 course but there are lots of mud banks extending from the shore so great care is needed.

Hope you have a great time! Wish we could join you but we're going to Ramsgate this weekend.

Edit: take care round the Needles - look out for the remains of the SS Varvassi not far underwater and some nasty rocks!

Neal · 09 June 2005, 16:43

Peter we go to the wheat sheaf at yarmouth Its about minute walk it was done up over Christmas and they ave a garden. Yarmouth does not have as much as Cowes IMHO but its a nice run down there. We may be out Sunday going from Calshot so will keep an eye out for you. Have fun

Too slow Neal the Girls got it all coverd

Louise · 09 June 2005, 16:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neal

Too slow Neal

Peter - you may find this site useful: http://www.yarmouth-harbour.co.uk/ .

The Jackeens · 09 June 2005, 16:50

In case you get confused with all the advice Peter (RIBnet is great innit

) you don't have to go to the Needles to get to Yarmouth but it's a nice extra on a good day

. On a bad day it's worth planning a return visit.

missus

DJL · 09 June 2005, 16:51

Theres not a huge amount to see up the river in Yarmouth.

Once you go under the bridge your pretty safe until you get to the bend where the river turns sharply south west (about 0.5nm from the bridge). After that theres only going to be enough water close to HW.

First picture is the view from the bend to the bridge. Second, the bend in the river.

Louise · 09 June 2005, 16:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Jackeens

you don't have to go to the Needles to get to Yarmouth

Actually it depends. If you're adventurous enough to turn left out of Soton Water and go round the back of the island you do!

Wouldn't necessarily recommend it for your first trip down there though, Peter!

The Jackeens · 09 June 2005, 17:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Jackeens

you don't have to go to the Needles to get to Yarmouth but it's a nice extra on a good day

. On a bad day it's worth planning a return visit.

missus

Just joking Peter !

But just to clarify (

) we have found on a tough day that Yarmouth is quite enough as a destination in itself, particularly as you would like to explore the river.

Even on a first trip, though, if the weather and conditions are good for you then you could do the whole shebang...Cowes for Brekkie, Yarmouth lunch, Needles sunbathing / wave jumping

and back to the Hamble for a sundowner before heading home.

Have a great day !

missus

Alan · 09 June 2005, 17:47

If you are heading down to that end of the Solent (Yarmouth/Needles) I can recommend Alum Bay as a good anchorage spot if you are taking your own lunch!

Pookay · 09 June 2005, 18:37

All of the good pubs have been mentioned and you can pretty much eat well at all.

Personal choice Iwould probably choose Gossips (bearing in mind it used to be the public lavs) at the end of the pier or the Bugle which is in the same square.

Mooring is easy and us natives friendly.

Enjoy your first trip to the needles - you will ceratinly know when you have left the Solent....

DM · 09 June 2005, 19:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Jackeens

Have to say we've never regretted a trip to Yarmouth yet!

Okay. Forgotten about this then, have we.

DM

The Jackeens · 09 June 2005, 19:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidmanning

Okay. Forgotten about this then, have we.

DM

origional quote "
Have to say we've never regretted a trip to Yarmouth yet!

Dave sir that pic was "back from" not "to" Yarmouth. I think the trip to Yarmouth was flat as a pancake .

off topic - Dave I was bringing a trailer down to rogue wave today and the bearing colapsed.... what is it with Stu - just the mention of his name and the wheel throws a wobbly.

paul

Peter J · 09 June 2005, 20:33

I love this forum, everyone is so helpful, thank you for the replies so far.

I'll probably launch at the Itchen Bridge or maybe Lymington. I haven't looked at the tides yet.

You mention wave jumping at the needles - is the sea much rougher there then than anywhere else? Is it scary rough or fun rough?

I read that it can get a bit wavy around Hurst should I make for there to play in the waves or avoid it because its dangerous?

John Kennett · 09 June 2005, 20:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter J

You mention wave jumping at the needles - is the sea much rougher there then than anywhere else? Is it scary rough or fun rough?

You tend to find bigger, steeper waves here. Sometimes they're fun, sometimes they're scary, sometimes they're just a nuisance.

Quote:

I read that it can get a bit wavy around Hurst should I make for there to play in the waves or avoid it because its dangerous?

I'd suggest that you go and have a look, but turn round if you don't feel happy about things. You can normally see quite clearly where the bigger stuff starts as it's quite pronounced.

John

The Jackeens · 09 June 2005, 20:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter J

You mention wave jumping at the needles - is the sea much rougher there then than anywhere else? Is it scary rough or fun rough?

It really depends on the state of tide and wind direction. you get the 2 currents coliding just past the needles so one can get quite large waves. which could be scary if not come across it previously but generally fun. hi tide and slack means it usually flat, again depending on wind.

Quote:

I read that it can get a bit wavy around Hurst should I make for there to play in the waves or avoid it because its dangerous?

more like bubbling soup some large - can be a bit uncomfortable, but only lasts for a few hundred yards. Again Hi and low tide theres more or less nothing

edit - sorry john , repeated more or less what you said

The Jackeens · 09 June 2005, 20:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidmanning

Okay. Forgotten about this then, have we.

DM

Bloomin mind-reader DM

That's exactly the trip I was thinkin of when I posted that!!!!

I'll never forget that trip

especially Someone signalling the Oriana with his lit fag .

And Whiteshoes appearing out of the dark like Santy Claus

missus

Pookay · 10 June 2005, 11:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Kennett

You can normally see quite clearly where the bigger stuff starts as it's quite pronounced.

John

LOL...

It is usually good fun..

Peter J · 13 June 2005, 12:09

Launched at Lymington. Got bloody soaked on the way down the river - much windier than the weather forcast said. Bit calmer on the Yarmouth side so made for the needles much rougher past Hurst so I gave in an went back to Yarmouth. Mis-understood the Harbour Master and had to move the boat to moor against the wall and climb up the ladder. Girls did not like that one bit.

Harbour Master said the Kings Head was better than the Wheatsheaf and having looked at the menus we went with his advice. OK but I will try the Wheatsheaf next time.

Had a tootle up river - bit bland but nice enough.

Tried for the needles again but gave up again. Fair weather boater me.

Forgot I didn't have my waders on at recovery and got a boot full of water. So all in all not a great day. I'll have to try again another day.

One conversation with my sixteen year old daughter, whilst on the Yar will make it memorable:

KATY: How deep do they bury dead people?

ME: 6ft

JENNI: But what if they are really tall?

Yes you did read right sixteen not six.

Peter.

The Jackeens · 13 June 2005, 17:30

Well at least you made Yarmouth and the King's Head.

There will (hopefully) be better days for all the family at The Needles

Us