HARWICH HAVEN & ESTUARIES
Harwich – Shotley – Felixstowe
On track for great car-free days out
3 Peninsulas – 2 Rivers – 1 Great Time
Explore the Harwich Haven – where the River Stour joins the mighty River Orwell to meet the North Sea. With deep harbours greeting some of the world’s biggest ships, flanked by military defences dating back to Tudor times and unfathomable depths of maritime history , this is one England’s most unique estuaries
Explore The Haven by Rail, Foot & Ferry
Make every day out into a super little car-free adventure. With stations all around the Felixstowe and Harwich peninsulas, heading off to explore the coast or countryside of The Haven couldn’t be easier.
Or why not plan a ’round trip’ experience? Take the train to the heritage resort of Felixstowe and walk via the seafront and Landguard Nature Reserve to The Haven. Have lunch or a picnic by the river watching the big ships or pop into the Fort or Museum before taking the ferry across to historic Harwich where more forts and fascinating finds await. A train journey home from Harwich delivers some awesome Orwell views!
Download the map leaflet to find out more.
Download Info Map3 Peninsulas Packed Full of Discoveries
Royal shipyards; the Pilgrim Fathers’ Mayflower; Britain’s last opposed seaborne invasion; seaplanes; surrendering German U-Boats; today’s biggest-ever container ships…
The mighty Haven and its peninsulas – Felixstowe with Landguard Point, Shotley and Harwich – have witnessed so much history and spectacle over the centuries. What will you discover?
Harwich Shotley Felixstowe Landguard Point
Climb Aboard!
Nothing beats viewing The Haven from the water. Heading across the harbour on the little yellow passenger ferry to new adventures is a voyage of discovery in itself. Experience the sheer scale of neighbouring container ships. Get a strategic view of the estuary’s historic military defences. Or simply sit back and enjoy the harbour tour ride.
Harwich Harbour Foot and Bicycle Ferry between Suffolk and Essex across the Orwell operates seasonal daily timetables (weather permitting). It links Shotley (Pier), Harwich (Ha’penny Pier) and Landguard Felixstowe (John Bradfield Viewing Area). Tickets available online.
Harwich Harbour FerryEnjoy the View Points
Although Landguard’s Haven and Port of Felixstowe viewing area ranks amongst Suffolk’s top 50 attractions, it’s not the only place to take in magnificent views of the ever-bustling Orwell estuary.
Head for the lofty heights of the Crow’s Nest in Shotley’s Heritage Park for views across the river Stour, or walk alongside the Orwell to appreciate the vast waterside frontage of the Port of Felixstowe.
The foreshore of Harwich beach and Dovercourt Bay is a superb spot for full-on river-mouth views and seeing the massive cruiseliners or container ships coming in from the North Sea or heading off across the waves on their journeys across the world.
Natural Treasures – Precious, Protected, Beautiful
Each of the 3 peninsulas around The Haven is home to a wide range of stunning, protected wildlife habitats including nature reserves, Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and areas of Suffolk & Essex Coast & Heaths National Landscape.
Situated on Britain’s most easterly point, the Haven’s saltmarsh, mudflats, low cliffs, ancient woodland and vegetated shingle are on the ‘Eastern Flyway’ for wildfowl, migrating birds and even moths!
Don’t forget your binoculars!
Landguard Nature Reserve National LandscapeExplore with Waymarked Walks & Cycle Routes
There are some simply wonderful walks and rides around The Haven! From short waymarked or leafleted strolls like maritime, heritage, family-friendly or accessible trails to fully signposted long distance paths, taking time out to explore and enjoy couldn’t be easier.
Choose from town or country walks direct from the train station or ferry point, or cycle rides which follow National or Regional Cycle routes or quiet little country lanes.
Enjoy waymarked linear, circular and long distance trails alongside The Haven’s rivers or coast.
Harwich Peninsula Shotley Peninsula Felixstowe Peninsula Cycle Routes
What’s that Ship? – What’s that I can see? – What’s going on over there?
Watching the gigantic container ships and cruise-liners which travel to Suffolk and Essex in the UK from all over the world is just fascinating. Then there are the pilot boats and sailing yachts, the harbour foot ferry… Looking out over the busy water highway of the Orwell estuary is a real spectacle. Even if you’re not usually the curious type, there are sure to be loads of questions on the horizons which you’d just love to have answers to. Never fear – if you have a smart phone to hand, chances are the answers are right at your finger tips!
There are two sides to the great river and a story behind every vessel in view. So why not find out more about Harwich Haven?
Take a look at live stream estuary footage of the Port of Felixstowe, Landguard and Harwich or the tide charts and channel maps perhaps, or download an app to track the journeys of the ships you can see before your eyes? Discover where they have come from and even where they are destined for next!
Explore The Haven
Discover the Historic Harwich Haven, Stour & Orwell Estuaries, Harwich, Shotley & Landguard Felixstowe
Enjoy great car-free days out around the Harwich Haven, travelling around Suffolk and Essex by rail with Greater Anglia and the Harbour Foot and Bicycle Ferry across the mighty River Orwell. Head out on wonderfully wildlife-rich coastal and riverside walks. Visit fabulous heritage and family-friendly attractions. Or simply sit back and watch the awesome spectacle of vast ships visiting Felixstowe’s über-impressive container port or the Harwich International cruiser terminal.
The Haven and its three peninsulas are a fascinating hub of history. Together, they have seen everything from royal ships and the Pilgrim Fathers’ Mayflower to early seaplanes, Britain’s last opposed seaborne invasion and the surrender of over 100 German U-Boats. Discover an estuary of amazing military and maritime significance over many centuries, of wildlife habitat treasures today and extreme and striking contrasts.
Explore More
Enjoy some real time out, travelling by train to Felixstowe in Suffolk, Harwich in Essex and towns and villages along the awesome River Orwell. The Haven is both conveniently on Greater Anglia rail routes and suprisingly off the beaten track. Put your feet up at the coast or by the riverside. Stretch you legs a little on a stroll or set out on a little adventure. The Harwich Harbour Foot and Bicycle Ferry is a fab way to explore even more in a day and there is just so much to see and do.
From brilliant birdwatching and countryside walks to military defences and fascinating forts, maritime heritage trails, museums, seaside fun and mesmerizing massive ships – what will you go for this time… and when you come back for more?
