A Day at Harwich Redoubt – Strengthening Bonds Across the Estuary

On 11th September, a group of volunteers from Landguard Fort, Felixstowe Museum, and the Landguard Nature Reserve crossed the waters of the Harwich Haven on the Harwich Harbour Foot Ferry, to visit one of our region’s most remarkable historic sites – the Harwich Redoubt.

This wasn’t just a day out. It was a meeting of minds and hearts, connecting people who care deeply about our shared heritage and the landscapes that have shaped it.

Gathering on Ha’Penny Pier Harwich
Andy our Harwich Tour guide explaining the Kindertransport memorial
Mustering in the entry to Harwich Redoubt

A Fort with a Story to Tell

Built between 1808 and 1810, Harwich Redoubt was part of Britain’s coastal defence network during the Napoleonic Wars. Its purpose was clear: to protect the port of Harwich from invasion. Strategically placed on a hilltop, the Redoubt commanded sweeping views over the estuaries – and crucially, it could work in tandem with Landguard Fort on the opposite shore, creating interlocking fields of fire to guard the harbour entrance.

The Redoubt is a circular fort, about 200 feet (61 metres) in diameter, with a central parade ground and 18 vaulted casemates below. These chambers once housed soldiers, stores, and ammunition, with hoists lifting shells up to the gun platform above. Originally armed with ten 24-pounder cannons, the fort was later upgraded to accommodate heavier artillery – though it never fired a shot in anger.

John Theobald explaining the evolution of the artillery pieces mounted on the redoubt’s walls

Linking Past and Present

For the volunteers, the visit was a chance to see how Harwich Redoubt fits into the bigger picture of coastal defence history. Standing on the gun platform, looking across to where Landguard Fort sits on the Felixstowe side, you can almost imagine the two sites communicating silently across the water, ready to defend the coast together.

It was also a reminder that these defences were not just military structures – they were communities in themselves, with soldiers living and working in close quarters, and the surrounding land shaped to serve the fort’s needs.

Fascinating Facts About Harwich Redoubt

  • Construction cost: £32,000–£55,000 – a huge sum for the early 19th century.
  • Design: Similar to other Napoleonic-era redoubts, but built to mount ten guns instead of eleven.
  • Defensive features: A dry moat 16 metres wide and 7 metres deep, plus earthworks to absorb enemy fire.
  • Restoration: Saved from disrepair by the Harwich Society, now open to the public with exhibitions and events.
Ushered in for a fresh cup of tea by the Town Crier and our guide John Theobald
John explaining the Redoubt’s position in relation to Landguard Fort and Harwich Haven

Landguard Fort & Harwich Redoubt Standing firm together.

Individually, each fort was formidable. But together, Harwich Redoubt and Landguard Fort formed a cross‑harbour defensive system — a choke point that could seal off one of the most strategically important harbours on England’s east coast. Their combined presence ensured that Harwich remained a secure naval base and that the Thames Estuary, and by extension London, was shielded from seaborne attack.

Shared Heritage, Shared Purpose

The day ended with plenty of conversation – about history, conservation, and the importance of keeping these sites alive for future generations. Whether it’s the brickwork of Harwich Redoubt, the ramparts of Landguard Fort, or the wild habitats of the Nature Reserve, each place tells part of the same story: a coastline shaped by defence, resilience, and community.