Harwich

Harwich is a port town located where the Stour and Orwell rivers meet, featuring fortified structures and a natural harbor that opens into the North Sea. The town extends along these waterways with typical English coastal architecture and historic buildings throughout its center.

The town received its royal charter in 1238 and later transformed into a naval base with defensive structures built along the coast starting in 1657. This shift made it a strategically important location for England's maritime defense.

The annual Shanty Festival attracts visitors who celebrate maritime songs and keep alive the town's deep connection to seafaring traditions. This tradition shows how locals maintain their seafaring past in everyday cultural life.

The harbor area is best explored on foot and offers open views across the rivers and waters. Visitors can explore the Harwich Redoubt Fort, built in 1808, which contains exhibits about the region's military and naval history.

The town has documented connections to the Mayflower voyage, as both Captain Christopher Jones and the ship itself originated from here. This connection links it to one of the most significant moments in English maritime history.