Harwich Maritime Museum

The name Harwich is synonymous with ships – it may be associated more nowadays with large, luxurious ferries, but Packet Boats have been sailing from here to Holland since 1661 and, just a year earlier, a shipyard was developed which went on to build many fine vessels for the Navy.

Today, Harwich is a Haven Port – literally, a safe haven for ships at times of adverse winds – and is the only one of these between the Thames and the Humber. But the town has always been full of sailors and many of the historic houses in Harwich have cellars that once served the dual purpose of facilitating smuggling and also escaping the press gangs.

Evidence of Harwich’s rich nautical heritage can be seen in many parts of the Old Town, and it’s perhaps best enjoyed by following the Maritime Trail Map, produced by The Harwich Society. Among the many ports of call as you follow this is the Harwich Maritime Museum, located in the former Low Lighthouse – built in 1818 as one of a pair of leading lights for the harbour entrance.

The museum is full of nautical memorabilia and houses everything from photographs and paintings to ships in bottles and lighthouse bulbs. There are displays on the Royal Navy, including uniform and badges, and the importance of local commercial shipping is recognised too. If you can cope with the steep staircase, a fantastic view of the shipping activity in the harbour is available from the top floor.