Harwich is a compact coastal parish at the mouth of the River Stour and River Orwell on the North Sea, within the district of Tendring in Essex, England. Its economy and character are shaped by Harwich International Port and historic ferry and freight links, alongside a modest fishing industry and seasonal tourism centred on promenades and nearby Dovercourt.
The town retains a strong maritime heritage - cobbled streets, two historic lighthouses and the Napoleonic Harwich Redoubt sit alongside a small maritime museum - giving it a distinct historic feel even as modern port activity and commuter links to larger towns influence its social mix. Visitors and residents value the waterfront atmosphere and the way shipping and heritage coexist in a relatively compact parish.
Postcode districts covering Harwich
Most populated places nearby
- Ipswich 9.1 miles14.6 km
- Colchester 16.2 miles26 km
- Clacton-on-Sea 10.3 miles16.6 km
- Felixstowe 3.8 miles6.1 km
- Sudbury 23.3 miles37.5 km
- Stowmarket 20.7 miles33.3 km
- Harwich 0.3 miles0.5 km
- Walton-on-the-Naze 5.7 miles9.1 km
- Frinton-on-Sea 7 miles11.2 km
- Woodbridge 11.2 miles18.1 km
- Kesgrave 8.8 miles14.2 km
Neighbouring places
- Harwich Built-up area 0.3 miles0.5 km
- Dovercourt All Saints Ward 0.4 miles0.6 km
- Dovercourt Vines & Parkeston Ward 0.5 miles0.7 km
- Dovercourt Bay Ward 0.6 miles1 km
- Parkeston Built-up area 0.7 miles1.1 km
- Dovercourt Tollgate Ward 1 mile1.6 km
- Harwich & Kingsway Ward 1.1 miles1.8 km
- Shotley Gate Built-up area 1.7 miles2.7 km
- Ramsey and Parkeston Parish 1.8 miles3 km
- Little Oakley Built-up area 2 miles3.2 km
- Shotley Built-up area 2.4 miles3.8 km
- Ganges Ward 2.6 miles4.2 km
Example postcodes in Harwich
CO12 4TX, CO12 3LJ, CO12 4LB, CO12 3EG, CO12 3UF, CO12 4TY, CO12 3EY, CO12 4QS, CO12 4QU … See all
Transport links
- London Southend Airport 34.9 miles56.1 km
- Stansted Airport 43.8 miles70.5 km
- Harwich International Railway Station 0.8 miles1.4 km
- Dovercourt Railway Station 0.9 miles1.5 km
Hotels near Harwich Ad
- The Pier Hotel 4 1.4 miles2.3 km
- Tulip Hotel Harwich 0.6 miles0.9 km
- Hotel Coco 4 4.1 miles6.6 km
- Holiday Inn Ipswich Orwell 4 6.7 miles10.7 km
- Salthouse Harbour Hotel 4 9.1 miles14.7 km
- The Orwell Hotel 3 4.5 miles7.3 km
- Lifehouse Spa & Hotel 4 7 miles11.3 km
- B&B Hotel Ipswich 3 9.6 miles15.4 km
- Novotel Ipswich Centre 4 9.4 miles15.1 km
- Milsoms Kesgrave Hall 4 9.4 miles15.1 km
Schools in Harwich
- All Saints' C of E Voluntary Aided Primary School, Dovercourt Primary
- Chase Lane Primary School and Nursery Primary
- Harwich and Dovercourt High School Secondary
- Spring Meadow Primary School & Nursery Primary
- St Joseph's Catholic Primary School Primary
- The Mayflower Primary School Primary
Local points of interest
- Harwich International Ferry Terminal Harbour 1 mile1.5 km
- Felixstowe Trinity Terminal Harbour 2.4 miles3.9 km
- Harwich Harbor Harbour 2.6 miles4.1 km
- Pedlars Wood Forest 6.5 miles10.5 km
- Newbourne Springs Nature reserve 7.7 miles12.4 km
- Foxall Stadium Stadium 8.4 miles13.5 km
- Suffolk College University 9.2 miles14.8 km
- Portman Road Stadium 9.6 miles15.5 km
- Sutton Hoo Archaeological site 11.5 miles18.5 km
- University of Essex University 13.8 miles22.2 km
- Colchester Community Stadium Stadium 15.4 miles24.8 km
- Roman Circus visitor centre Museum 15.9 miles25.6 km