The town centre lies to the east ofthe Yar Bridge (Fig. 1 ). Low-lying shoreline extends a few kilometres to the south, and tidal inflows to the large YarmouthFreshwater floodplain are prevented by sluice gates, to protect freshwater habitats. Yarmouth is sheltered from large waves by its north-facing orientation, and ftom south-westerly waves by the Hurst Spit shingle barrie