Harwich is one of Haven ports in Essex on the coast of the North Sea.
It is on the estuaries of both the Stour and Orwell rivers and used to be the only safe mooring between the Thames and Humber making it an important anchorage for seamen.
The town became a naval base in 1657. The navy no longer have a presence in town but ferry services run to Hock van Holland in the Netherlands and Esbjerg in Denmark.
It is only a small town it is full of architectural heritage and the whole of the older part of town except Navyard Wharf is a conservation area.
Many medieval buildings are hidden behind 18th century facades. Notable buildings include the parish church of St. Nicholas built in the Gothic style containing many of the original furnishings such as the organ though this has been altered. The Guildhall of 1769 that is the only Grade I listed building in Harwich.
The Pier Hotel, built 1860 and Great Eastern Hotel of 1864, the latter now being apartments, are on the Quayside.
Some of the shops in Harwich include Bliss, Peacocks, Select, Coes Menswear and Jean Station.
Harwich has several places of interest including the High Lighthouse built in 1818, the Electric Palace Cinema built 1911 is one of the oldest cinemas to survive and is complete with the original projection room intact and operational. It also still has its ornamental frontage. Also in town are several Victorian shop fronts.
The new additions to the town are in the high-tech style and include the Lifeboat Station and two buildings for Trinity House next to the Old Custom Houses and were completed in 2005.
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