Historic Harwich It was once an important naval base and today is a thriving passenger ferry port. But it’s the commemoration of an event four centuries ago that makes Harwich a must-see in 2020…
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arwich: the name is synonymous with ships and sailors. The harbour here, created by a storm surge in the 1100s, is the only Haven Port between the Thames and the Humber. Famous seafarers Hawkins, Drake and Frobisher all sailed from Harwich during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I; in 1588 the English Fleet put into Harwich on their return from the defeat of the Spanish Armada; in 1600 a shipyard was built; and soon afterwards ‘packet boats’ began sailing from here to Holland. But it’s Harwich’s role in the story of America that’s fuelling the town’s re-emergence as a tourist hotspot – a story of one ship that links four nations, spans 400 years of history and connects millions of people. Mayflower 400, a year-long celebration, marks the 400th anniversary of the pioneering voyage undertaken by a group of people that more than
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Coastal Guide 2020
