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EuropeUnited KingdomEngland

Harwich

England, United Kingdom · Europe

About Harwich

Harwich is worth a stop: 10 minutes from Felixstowe, 19km from Flatford Mill.

Harwich is a town located in England, United Kingdom. With a population of 20,723, it is an important destination in Europe.

On a road trip, Harwich sits in United Kingdom, where you drive on the left. It's in the Europe/London time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Harwich to your route.

About Harwich

Harwich is a port town and civil parish in the Tendring district of Essex, England. It is one of the Haven ports on the North Sea coast. Nearby places include Felixstowe to the north-east, Ipswich to the north-west, Colchester to the south-west and Clacton-on-Sea to the south. It is the northernmost coastal town in

Read more Essex. Its position on the estuaries of the Stour and Orwell rivers, with its usefulness to mariners as one of the safest ports between the Thames and the Humber, led to a long period of civil and military maritime significance. The town became a naval base in 1657 and was heavily fortified, with Harwich Redoubt, Beacon Hill Battery, and Bath Side Battery. The Mayflower, which carried English Puritans to North America, was registered with Harwich as its home port, and Harwich is the presumed birthplace of Mayflower captain Christopher Jones. The historic core of the town stands at the end of a peninsula. The built up area now extends westwards from the peninsula to included Dovercourt, which has been administered as part of Harwich since at least the 17th century. There are few retail facilities in the historic core of Harwich today, and Dovercourt now has the main retail town centre for the built up area. The main port facilities of Harwich International Port are now at Parkeston, about 1 mile (1.6 km) upstream on the Stour from the old town's quays. At the 2021 census, the population of the parish of Harwich (which includes Dovercourt) was 18,794, and the population of the built up area as defined by the Office for National Statistics (which extends beyond Harwich parish to also include parts of the neighbouring parishes of Little Oakley and Ramsey and Parkeston) was 20,215.

Read more on Wikipedia

Where to Stay in Harwich

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to do in Harwich?

Harwich offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.

How do I plan a road trip to Harwich?

Plan your road trip to Harwich with Plan Your Road Trips! Add Harwich as a destination, and we'll help you find the best route and discover more amazing places along the way.

Where is Harwich located?

Harwich is located in England, United Kingdom, Europe. The coordinates are 51.9419 latitude, 1.2844 longitude.

What is the population of Harwich?

Harwich has a population of approximately 20,723 people, making it a town in United Kingdom.

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Quick Information

Population
20,723
Continent
Europe
Country
United Kingdom
Region
England
Timezone
Europe/London
Coordinates
51.9419, 1.2844

Emergency & Services

Essential numbers in United Kingdom

Police
999
Ambulance
999
Fire
999
Non-emergency police
101
Driving side
left

112 also works. NHS non-emergency medical advice: 111. National Highways breakdown assistance on motorways: 0300 123 5000.

Full driving guide for United Kingdom

Tags

EuropeUnited KingdomEnglandTown

Worth the detour from Harwich

2 notable places within an hour's drive.

landmark

Flatford Mill

The mill and surrounding Dedham Vale that inspired John Constable's most famous paintings including The Hay Wain, largely unchanged since the 1820s.

19 km · about 20 min drive

landmark

Lavenham

Exquisitely preserved medieval wool town with over 300 listed buildings, including crooked timber-framed houses and a magnificent church.

38 km · about 45 min drive

Driving in United Kingdom

Drives on
the left
Petrol
~€1.73/litre
Motorway tolls
None

When to drive here

April to October

Nearby Destinations

Other places to explore near Harwich.

Dovercourt

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

1 km awayPop. 1,001

Shotley Gate

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

2 km awayPop. 1,511

Felixstowe

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

5 km awayPop. 24,521

Holbrook

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

10 km awayPop. 1,090

Walton-on-the-Naze

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

10 km awayPop. 17,458

Thorpe le Soken

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

13 km awayPop. 1,394

Frinton-on-Sea

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

13 km awayPop. 16,941

Kesgrave

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

14 km awayPop. 11,020

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Data sources:GeoNames (CC BY 4.0)•Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)•Mapbox•Photography: George Lawrence