Harwich
East Coast
Harwich

The port of Harwich is a must-see destination for history-lovers.

 Almost entirely surrounded by water, its harbour was created by a storm surge in the 1100s giving rise to its long and fascinating seafaring history. Harwich is best known for its role in the story of America. The Pilgrim Fathers built the Mayflower here and it set sail from the port on the voyage across the Atlantic to the New World in 1620. Visitors can explore the workshop where a replica of the famous ship is being built to celebrate the 400th anniversary.

The LV18, Britain’s last manned light vessel is moored by the quayside and open to visitors, while the Lifeboat Museum which is open during the summer months, houses the old Clacton offshore lifeboat. The Electric Palace cinema is one of the oldest purpose-built cinemas to survive, complete with its silent screen, original projection room and ornamental frontage still relatively intact, it continues to screen movies throughout the year.

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