“With its continental ferries passing in the Estuary, Harwich retains the individual character of a seafaring town and some of the excitement of the international travel.”
Historic Seafaring Harwich
Harwich has a long and illustrious history as a maritime port with links across the globe. The town became a naval base in 1657 and was heavily fortified, with Harwich Redoubt, Beacon Hill Battery, and Bath Side Battery. Harwich today is contiguous with Dovercourt and the two, along with Parkeston, are often referred to collectively as Harwich. The Royal Navy is no longer present in Harwich but Harwich International Port at nearby Parkeston continues to offer regular ferry services.
Despite, or perhaps because of, its small size Harwich is highly regarded in terms of architectural heritage, and the whole of the older part of the town, excluding Navyard Wharf, is a conservation area. The regular street plan, with principal thoroughfares connected by numerous small alleys, betrays the town’s medieval origins although many buildings of this period are hidden behind 18th century facades.
The extant medieval structures are largely private homes. Notable public buildings include the parish church of St. Nicholas (1821) in a restrained Gothic style, with many original furnishings including a (somewhat altered) organ of the same date in the west end gallery, and the Guildhall of 1769, the only Grade I listed building in Harwich.
Also of interest are the High Lighthouse (1818); the unusual Treadwheel Crane (late 17th century); the Electric Palace Cinema (1911), one of the oldest purpose-built cinemas to survive complete with its original projection room and ornamental frontage still intact and operational; the Old Custom Houses on West Street; and a number of Victorian shop fronts.
Harwich was the home town of Christopher Jones, the master and quarter-owner of the Mayflower, and was also a base for that ship. A replica of the Mayflower is currently being built as part of the Mayflower Trust’s programme in the town. The famous diarist Samuel Pepys was the Member of Parliament for Harwich. Christopher Newport, captain of the expedition that founded Jamestown, Virginia, also hailed from Harwich. With its continental ferries passing in the Estuary, Harwich retains the individual character of a seafaring town and some of the excitement of the international travel.
The Harwich Festival of the Arts has been held for many years and is one of the main cultural inputs to the area. The commission for a new landmark public sculpture will create a focal point to reflect the long maritime history of Harwich.
Despite, or perhaps because of, its small size Harwich is highly regarded in terms of architectural heritage, and the whole of the older part of the town, excluding Navyard Wharf, is a conservation area. The regular street plan, with principal thoroughfares connected by numerous small alleys, betrays the town’s medieval origins although many buildings of this period are hidden behind 18th century facades.
The extant medieval structures are largely private homes. Notable public buildings include the parish church of St. Nicholas (1821) in a restrained Gothic style, with many original furnishings including a (somewhat altered) organ of the same date in the west end gallery, and the Guildhall of 1769, the only Grade I listed building in Harwich.
Also of interest are the High Lighthouse (1818); the unusual Treadwheel Crane (late 17th century); the Electric Palace Cinema (1911), one of the oldest purpose-built cinemas to survive complete with its original projection room and ornamental frontage still intact and operational; the Old Custom Houses on West Street; and a number of Victorian shop fronts.
Harwich was the home town of Christopher Jones, the master and quarter-owner of the Mayflower, and was also a base for that ship. A replica of the Mayflower is currently being built as part of the Mayflower Trust’s programme in the town. The famous diarist Samuel Pepys was the Member of Parliament for Harwich. Christopher Newport, captain of the expedition that founded Jamestown, Virginia, also hailed from Harwich. With its continental ferries passing in the Estuary, Harwich retains the individual character of a seafaring town and some of the excitement of the international travel.
The Harwich Festival of the Arts has been held for many years and is one of the main cultural inputs to the area. The commission for a new landmark public sculpture will create a focal point to reflect the long maritime history of Harwich.
Cllr Ivan Henderson
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Client TeamCllr Ivan Henderson, Essex County Council &
Tendring District Councillor, Ian Davidson, Chief Executive,Tendring District Council Mike Carran, Operations Manager, Tendring District Council |
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VisitHarwich, situated on a peninsula at the north eastern tip of Essex, provides fine views over the estuaries of the Stour and Orwell towards Suffolk and out to the open sea. Located in the Tendring District, it is the northernmost coastal town within Essex. Nearby places include Felixstowe to the northeast, Ipswich to the northwest, Colchester to the southwest and Clacton-on-Sea to the south.
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More?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harwich_Mayflower_Heritage_Centre
www.tendringdc.gov.uk/leisure/visitor-information-map