With Fred Olsen offering 2013 sailings from Harwich, we decided to take a look at the history of the emerging port.
Harwich, which means “military settlement,” is a busy seaside town and international port found in northeast Essex, right on the estuary of the Stour and Orwell rivers. The port is particularly famous for the phrase “Harwich for the mainland”, which can be seen on road signs and on various advertisements, including posters produced for the London & North Eastern Railway promoting rail and shipping services through Harwich.
A historically important city and port …
Harwich has played a very important role in the nautical history of Great Britain for centuries; it was particularly appreciated in the 19th century by captains of sailing ships seeking refuge.
In the second half of the 19th century, the Great Eastern Railway Company decided that the port should be transformed; This is how the world-class deepwater facility, Harwich International Port, came to be.
Following the port’s success, the Great Eastern Railway wanted to further expand its operations, so it created an entirely new port in the Ray Island swampy area. The new port, Parkeston Quay, was officially opened in 1883 by Charles H. Parkes, president of the Great Eastern Railway Company. Soon after, it became one of the most important passenger ports in Great Britain, linking England with Belgium and the Netherlands.
Throughout the 20th century and into the 21st, the port of Harwich has maintained its close connections with Europe. Today, the activities of the Port of Harwich include liquid and dry bulk, general cargo, containers, as well as being a thriving cruise business. And, with Fred Olsen offering select cruises in 2013, Harwich Port continues to grow and grow.
A new chapter in the history of the port …
In 1998, the international port of Harwich was acquired by Hutchison Ports (UK) Ltd, the world’s largest owner and operator of private ports. Since then, the international port of Harwich continued to flourish. Today Harwich is one of the UK’s leading cruise ports.
A look at the historic city …
Historically important, as well as being one of the UK’s deepest water ports, Harwich Old Town is a conservation area – you’ll find a host of historic buildings here, each with a story to tell. Prized for its architectural heritage, you will discover many notable public buildings, including the Parish Church of St. Nicholas (1821) and the Guildhall from 1769, the only Grade I listed building in Harwich. On the pier you can see the Pier Hotel from 1860 and the Great Eastern Hotel from 1864. These two buildings reflect the new importance of the city for travelers, thanks to the arrival of the Colchester railway line in 1854.
Other attractions include the High Lighthouse, the Treadwheel Crane and the Electric Palace Cinema. One of the oldest specially designed cinemas, the Electric Palace Cinema comes complete with its original screening room, as well as a host of other original features. Other must-see spots include Old Custom Houses on West Street and a selection of Victorian shop fronts.
