Harwich’s name means “military settlement” in Old English. The town was chartered in 1238 but there is evidence of a much earlier settlement in the area.

A naval base was established here in 1657, and over the years the Bath Side Battery, Beacon Hill Battery, and the Harwich Redoubt were constructed as fortifications.

Although the Royal Navy no longer maintains a base here, the port is still quite busy. Aside from the commercial traffic, the Harwich International Port offers regular ferry service to the Netherlands and Denmark.

One of the first stops for any visitor to Harwich should be the Ha’penny Pier Visitor Centre which is located in a restored Victorian ticket office on the pier, you will find lots of information about things to do and see here.

Harwich seems to be all about renovating and re-using much of its historic past. There are several old lighthouses that have been re-purposed as museums in the town.

The Harwich Redoubt which was built in 1808 in response to the threat of Napoleonic invasion is the only fort of its kind still open to the public. It is built in a circular shape and is 180 feet in diameter. It houses 11 guns and could accommodate over 300 soldiers.

The Maritime Museum is housed in one such lighthouse and in addition to its interesting exhibits you will get an unparalleled view of the busy harbour. The National Wireless and Television Museum is housed in another old lighthouse.

The Lifeboat Museum is located in a restored Victorian lifeboat-house dating from 1876. You can even board their 37 footer that was in service here for more than 20 years.

For those of you who just can’t get enough of lifeboats, you can actually take a tour around the harbour aboard a genuine decommissioned RNLI lifeboat.

Harwich has much to offer any visitor.

Photo courtesy: caspermoller

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