The town is believed to date from the mid-12th century. Its position on the estuaries of the Stour and Orwell rivers and its usefulness to mariners as the only safe anchorage between the Thames and Humber led to a long period of maritime significance, both civil and military. The town was heavily fortified, with Harwich Redoubt, Beacon Hill Battery, and Bath Side Battery. Many operations of the large container port at Felixstowe and of Trinity House, the lighthouse authority, are managed from Harwich, and a new container port in Bathside Bay has been proposed. Harwich today is contiguous with Dovercourt and the two along with Parkeston are often referred to collectively as Harwich.
Nearby places include Felixstowe to the northeast, Ipswich to the northwest and Colchester to the southwest. The town is believed to date from the mid-12th century.

	Country:	England
	Location:	Northeast
	Country Code:	+44
	Population:	1,832
	Language:	English
	Currency:	GBP Sterling (£)
	Time Zone:	GMT
	Train Station:	Harwich Town
	Tourism:	Harwich Tourism

By Car From the South: Leave the M25 at junction 28 and follow the A12 (north) signposted Chelmsford and Colchester. At Colchester (Ardleigh Interchange) turn off the A12 onto the A120 following signs for Harwich. The road becomes single carriageway at Horsley Cross roundabout. Proceed for 6 miles until you reach Ramsey Hill Roundabout. Follow signs for Harwich International Port. Proceed for another 2 miles until you reach the roundabout - in the middle of the map below. As shown, go straight over this roundabout, and then go Left at the next roundabout, passing Safeways super market on your right hand side, then go over the next two roundabouts, past the freight yards on your right. Pass the Shell Petrol station on your left and proceed straight over into the roundabout to the check in lanes. From the North: It is easiest to use the A14 to Ipswich. At Ipswich join the A12 (south) towards Colchester. At Colchester join the A120 and follow as above.

By Train Trains run from London Liverpool Street station to Harwich International. Local rail services arrive at the ferry terminal building, where an escalator will take you directly to the check in point.

By Coach There is a frequent National Express service to Harwich.

By Ferry Harwich ferry port is owned & operated by Hutchison Port Holdings, the world's largest independent port operator. Located on the southern side of the River Stour in Essex, Harwich ferry port is a highly efficient, modern, multipurpose port, and has become one of the UK's most important North Sea ferry ports. Harwich passenger ferry terminal is run by Stena Line who sail to the Hook of Holland and DFDS Seaways who offer frequent sailings from Harwich to Esbjerg ferry port. The Harwich Cuxhaven ferry ceased operation in November 2005.

• The Redoubt
• The Maritime Museum
• The National Wireless and Television Museum
• The Lifeboat Museum
• The Ha’penny Pier Visitor Centre

Harwich has a rich history with many sites of interest, most of which are centred on Old Harwich. The Redoubt — a circular Napoleonic fort dating from 1808. The Maritime Museum is housed in one of the town’s disused lighthouses. The National Wireless and Television Museum lives in another disused lighthouse. The Lifeboat Museum — housed in a Victorian lifeboat-house of 1876. The Ha’penny Pier Visitor Centre — housed in a Victorian pier ticket office, and now incorporating a Mayflower exhibition. Dovercourt sea-front features a sandy beach that runs for 2 miles from Earlams Beach to Beacon Hill. Facilities are centred around the swimming pool and boating lake in Low Road. The bay and estuary provide excellent wind-surfing and dinghy sailing.