What Is Harwich Famous For? 10 Things Visitors Should Know

What is Harwich famous for? For a relatively small Essex town, the answer covers an extraordinary amount of British and international history. Harwich has connections with the Mayflower, the founding of Jamestown, centuries of naval activity, Napoleonic defences, the surrender of German U-boats after the First World War and the Kindertransport rescue of Jewish children fleeing Nazi persecution.

Its position at the meeting point of the Rivers Stour and Orwell, beside one of the east coast’s most important natural harbours, has shaped Harwich for hundreds of years. Ships, sailors, explorers, monarchs and military forces have all passed through the town, leaving behind a collection of historic buildings, maritime landmarks and stories that visitors can still discover today. [1]

If you are planning your first visit, this guide explores 10 of the things that have made Harwich famous. For ideas about what to actually do while you are here, you can also read our guide to the 10 best things to do in Harwich for first-time visitors.

1. Harwich Was Home to the Captain of the Mayflower

The Mayflower is probably Harwich’s most internationally recognised historical connection.

Christopher Jones, the ship’s master, came from Harwich and spent much of his early life in the town. He married his first wife, Sara Twitt, at St Nicholas Church in Harwich in 1593 and later married Josian Gray there in 1603. Jones went on to become master and part-owner of the Mayflower, with an Admiralty document from 1610 referring to him as Christopher Jones of Harwich, master of the Mayflower. [2]

In 1620, Jones commanded the ship on the voyage that carried 102 passengers across the Atlantic. After difficulties involving the accompanying ship Speedwell, the Mayflower eventually left Plymouth and crossed the Atlantic alone.

This distinction is worth knowing because Harwich was not the final English departure point for the famous transatlantic crossing. Its importance comes instead from its close relationship with the ship and, above all, its master.

Visitors can still explore this story in Historic Harwich. Christopher Jones’ former home survives in King’s Head Street, while the town contains several other reminders of its Mayflower connection. For anyone interested in early transatlantic history, this is one of the strongest reasons to spend time exploring the older part of Harwich rather than simply passing through the port.

2. Another Harwich Mariner Helped Establish Jamestown

The Mayflower is not Harwich’s only major connection with the early history of North America.

Christopher Newport was baptised in Harwich in 1561 and became an accomplished seafarer and ship captain. He later commanded the expedition of the Susan Constant, Godspeed and Discovery which carried English settlers to Virginia in 1607. [3]

Newport played a central role in selecting Jamestown Island as the location for the settlement. Jamestown became the first permanent English settlement in North America, making Newport another Harwich-born seafarer with an important place in international history. [4]

It is quite remarkable that one small Essex port produced figures associated with both Jamestown in 1607 and the Mayflower voyage in 1620.

The Ha’penny Pier Visitor Centre has traditionally interpreted Harwich’s links with the New World, while St Nicholas Church forms another important part of the story. Exploring these connections gives visitors a much broader view of Harwich than its modern identity as a ferry and maritime town.

3. Harwich Became One of England’s Most Strategically Important Harbours

To understand why so many important events happened here, you first need to understand Harwich Harbour.

Harwich sits beside the natural harbour formed where the Rivers Stour and Orwell meet before reaching the North Sea. In the age of sailing ships, a protected harbour on this section of the east coast was enormously valuable. Harwich became known as a Haven Port, providing ships with shelter during difficult weather and offering access to the North Sea and continental Europe. [1]

Its strategic importance brought merchants, naval ships, packet boats and travellers through the town for centuries. The English fleet returning after the defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588 used Harwich Harbour, while later generations of naval vessels were built and maintained here.

The harbour remains one of the first things that helps modern visitors understand the town. Stand near Ha’penny Pier today and the maritime theme is impossible to miss. Ferries, yachts, commercial vessels and the enormous container cranes of Felixstowe create a modern version of the busy seascape that has defined Harwich for generations.

4. Harwich Had Its Own Royal Naval Shipyard

Harwich’s importance was not limited to sheltering ships. It also became an important centre for building and repairing them.

A naval shipyard became established here during the 17th century, with numerous men-of-war constructed at the Harwich yard. The site’s history stretched even further back, with shipbuilding taking place in the area during the Tudor period. Queen Elizabeth I visited Harwich in 1561 and inspected the shipyard. [5]

One remarkable survivor of this maritime industry can still be seen on Harwich Green: the Harwich Treadwheel Crane.

The timber crane contains two huge wooden treadwheels, each around five metres in diameter. Workers walking inside the wheels provided the power needed to raise and lower heavy loads. Historic England describes it as the earliest surviving example of its type in England and the sole visible element of Harwich’s 17th-century naval dockyard. [6]

It is the sort of landmark that is easy to pass without appreciating its significance. Once you know its story, however, it becomes one of the clearest physical reminders that Harwich was once an important naval industrial centre rather than simply a coastal town.

5. Harwich Was a Gateway Between Britain and Continental Europe

Long before modern ferries and international airports, Harwich was one of Britain’s important departure points for travellers heading to the Continent.

Packet boats began sailing between Harwich and Holland in the 17th century. These vessels carried passengers, mail and communications across the North Sea and helped establish a connection with the Netherlands that has continued, in different forms, for centuries. [1]

Among the people associated with Harwich during this period was Samuel Pepys, the famous diarist and naval administrator. Pepys represented Harwich in Parliament and was deeply involved in the administration of the Royal Navy.

Royal passengers also travelled through the port. After William III and Mary II became joint monarchs, William used Harwich packet boats on journeys between Britain and Holland. [1]

The tradition of cross-Channel and North Sea travel continued through the railway age. Harwich developed continental ferry connections, railway links and, in the 20th century, train ferry services capable of carrying railway wagons directly across the sea.

That long history makes today’s international ferry operations feel less like a modern addition and more like the latest chapter in a travel route that has been important for hundreds of years.

6. Harwich Was Fortified Against Napoleon

Harwich’s valuable harbour also made it a potential target during periods of war.

During the Napoleonic Wars, Britain’s fear of a French invasion resulted in extensive new coastal defences. The most striking survivor in Harwich is the Redoubt Fort, a large circular fortification built between 1807 and 1809 to protect the harbour. [7]

The Redoubt was designed to work alongside other defensive positions around the harbour, creating overlapping fields of fire across the approaches. It contained 18 rooms or casemates around a central parade ground and was equipped with heavy guns on its upper level.

The invasion it was designed to resist never arrived, but the fort survived.

Today, Harwich Redoubt is particularly useful for visitors because it turns an abstract part of British military history into something tangible. Rather than simply reading about fears of Napoleonic invasion, you can walk through a substantial fort that was built because Harwich Harbour was considered important enough to defend.

7. Harwich Is Known for Its Unusual Collection of Lighthouses

Harwich has a particularly distinctive lighthouse story.

The High Lighthouse and Low Lighthouse were constructed in 1818 and worked together as leading lights. Sailors approaching the harbour could line up the two lights to determine whether their vessel was following the correct navigational course. [8]

However, the seabed and channels around Harwich were changing. By the middle of the 19th century, shifting sandbanks meant the old alignment was no longer reliable. Historic England records that the pair became known as the “misleading lights” before being replaced by new leading lights at Dovercourt in 1863. [9]

This created the unusual situation visitors see today, with historic lighthouse structures surviving both around Historic Harwich and along the Dovercourt seafront.

The lighthouses are more than attractive coastal landmarks. They tell the story of how difficult it was to navigate a constantly changing harbour before GPS, electronic charts and modern marine technology.

8. German U-boats Surrendered Off Harwich After the First World War

Harwich once again became nationally important during the First World War.

The Harwich Force, a Royal Navy formation consisting largely of fast cruisers and destroyers, operated from the area and carried out extensive duties in the North Sea.

Then came one of the most dramatic moments in the harbour’s military history.

Following the Armistice in November 1918, German submarines were ordered to surrender. The handover began off Harwich, with German U-boats arriving at the designated rendezvous and being transferred into British control. The Imperial War Museums collection includes contemporary artwork recording German submarines arriving at the rendezvous near Harwich on 20 November 1918. [10]

For visitors standing beside the harbour today, it can be difficult to imagine rows of surrendered German submarines appearing in these waters. Yet this was one of the events that marked the end of the First World War at sea.

It is also a good example of why Harwich’s history extends far beyond individual monuments. The harbour itself has repeatedly been the setting for major events.

9. Harwich Was an Entry Point for the Kindertransport

One of Harwich’s most important 20th-century stories is very different from its naval history.

Between 1938 and 1939, around 10,000 predominantly Jewish children escaped Nazi persecution through the rescue operation now known as the Kindertransport. For many of those children, Harwich was their first experience of Britain.

Children travelled by train across continental Europe before boarding ferries from the Hook of Holland to Harwich. From Harwich, many continued by train to London’s Liverpool Street Station, while some were temporarily accommodated at a refugee camp in nearby Dovercourt until homes could be arranged. [11]

For families, students and anyone interested in modern European history, this gives Harwich a particularly poignant significance. The harbour was not simply a place of trade or warfare. For thousands of children, it represented arrival in a place of safety after leaving their families and homes behind.

A Kindertransport memorial now stands on Harwich Quay, providing a permanent reminder of this part of the town’s history.

10. Harwich Has One of Britain’s Most Remarkable Historic Cinemas

Not everything Harwich is famous for involves ships.

Tucked into King’s Quay Street is the Electric Palace, a purpose-built cinema dating from 1911. It survives with an extraordinary amount of its historic character intact, including its ornamental frontage, projection room and early cinema features. Historic England describes it as one of the oldest purpose-built cinemas in existence. [12]

The cinema closed in 1956 and remained unused for years. It narrowly escaped demolition before being rediscovered and preserved, eventually reopening under the care of a charitable trust.

What makes the Electric Palace particularly interesting is that it is not merely a preserved shell. It continues to operate as a cinema, allowing visitors to watch films inside a building dating from the earliest years of purpose-built cinema architecture.

For a town best known for maritime heritage, it is an unexpected piece of cultural history and another reason Harwich has considerably more to discover than first-time visitors may expect.

Harwich Has More History Than Its Size Suggests

These 10 stories only begin to explain Harwich’s history.

Henry VIII, Elizabeth I, Samuel Pepys, Lord Nelson and writer Daniel Defoe all have connections with the town. Harwich has experienced wartime bombardment, the devastating North Sea flood of 1953, generations of shipbuilding and centuries of passenger travel between Britain and continental Europe.

What makes Harwich particularly rewarding to explore is how much evidence remains within a relatively compact area. The lighthouses, Redoubt Fort, Treadwheel Crane, historic streets, quay and surviving maritime buildings mean the town’s history is not confined to museum displays.

You can walk through it.

Planning a Historical Break in Harwich

If history is one of the reasons you are visiting, allow more than a couple of hours for Historic Harwich. Several important locations sit close together, so the old town is well suited to exploring on foot. Opening arrangements for museums and volunteer-run heritage sites can vary by season, so it is worth checking individual attractions before travelling.

You can also combine the historic town with time at Dovercourt Bay, giving you a mixture of heritage, harbour views and the coast during the same trip.

For more practical sightseeing ideas, our first-time visitor’s guide to Harwich covers many of the main attractions and ways to spend your time in the area.

Where to Stay When Visiting Harwich

If you are turning your visit into a weekend break or longer stay, we offer a range of one and two-bedroom apartments in Harwich at The Royal Apartments, 387 Main Road.

Our apartments provide a comfortable base between Dovercourt and Historic Harwich, making it easy to combine the seafront with the historic harbour area during your stay. Having your own kitchen and living space can also be particularly useful if you are visiting for several nights rather than making a short day trip.

You can view our Harwich apartments and check availability here.

Frequently Asked Questions About What Harwich Is Famous For

What is Harwich most famous for?

Harwich is particularly famous for its maritime history and its connection with the Mayflower. Christopher Jones, master of the Mayflower on its 1620 transatlantic voyage, came from Harwich. The town is also known for its historic harbour, naval shipyard, lighthouses and military heritage.

What is the connection between Harwich and the Mayflower?

Christopher Jones, the master and part-owner of the Mayflower, was from Harwich. He married in the town and his former home survives in Historic Harwich. Documents from the early 17th century also associated Jones and the Mayflower with Harwich. The Mayflower’s final departure for America in 1620 was from Plymouth rather than Harwich.

Was the Mayflower built in Harwich?

The exact place where the Mayflower was built is not known with certainty. Harwich’s strongest documented connection is with its master and part-owner Christopher Jones, who was from the town and was recorded as master of the Mayflower by 1610.

Who famous came from Harwich?

Two especially significant Harwich seafarers were Christopher Jones, master of the Mayflower, and Christopher Newport, who commanded the expedition that established Jamestown in Virginia in 1607. Harwich also has strong historical connections with figures including Samuel Pepys, Lord Nelson and several British monarchs.

Why was Harwich important to the Royal Navy?

Harwich has a sheltered natural harbour in a strategically important position on England’s east coast. A naval shipyard operated here and warships were built and repaired in the town. Harwich later played an important role during both the Napoleonic Wars and the First World War.

Did German U-boats surrender at Harwich?

Yes. After the First World War Armistice, German U-boats were ordered to surrender to the Allies. The handover of German submarines began off Harwich in November 1918, with the vessels transferred into British control.

What was Harwich’s role in the Kindertransport?

Harwich was an important arrival point for children escaping Nazi persecution through the Kindertransport in 1938 and 1939. Many travelled by ferry from the Hook of Holland to Harwich before continuing to London, while some stayed temporarily at a refugee camp in Dovercourt.

Why does Harwich have so many lighthouses?

Harwich Harbour has historically been difficult to navigate because of channels and shifting sandbanks. Pairs of leading lights were used to help ships follow a safe course. Historic lighthouse structures survive in both Harwich and Dovercourt today.

Is Harwich worth visiting for its history?

Yes. Harwich is particularly worthwhile for visitors interested in maritime, military and social history. Historic Harwich contains the Redoubt Fort, lighthouses, Treadwheel Crane, Electric Palace Cinema, Ha’penny Pier and numerous historic streets and buildings within a relatively small area.

Where should I stay when visiting Historic Harwich?

Staying locally makes it easier to explore both Historic Harwich and Dovercourt rather than trying to fit everything into a day trip. We offer one and two-bedroom serviced apartments at The Royal Apartments, 387 Main Road, Harwich, with further information and availability on our Harwich accommodation page.