Harwich is a picturesque port town at the north-eastern corner of Essex overlooking the estuaries of the Stour and Orwell rivers. Its usefulness to mariners as the only safe anchorage between the Thames and the Humber led to a long period of maritime significance, both civil and military. The town became a naval base in 1657 and was heavily fortified with Harwich Redoubt, Beacon Hill Battery and Bath Side Battery.
Halfpenny (pronounced locally as Ha'penny) Pier was opened as the Corporation Pier on 2nd July 1853. It was known officially throughout the 20th century as “Halfpenny Pier” because of the halfpenny toll charged to enter it. The pier's odd L-shape is due to a fire in 1927 which destroyed the structure beyond the arm halfway along.
As the above photo shows, Harwich has been a popular holiday destination since the nineteenth century. Still today many people come here to enjoy the sea air or the beaches in Dovercourt Bay. There is still a foot passenger ferry link from Halfpenny Pier across to Felixstowe and Shotley in Suffolk.
The cranes at the Port of Felixstowe are clearly visible across the water and you might spot one or more enormous container ships there too. Felixstowe is Britain's busiest container port, dealing with over 40% of the country's containerised trade. It has nine available berths along a continuous quay of over 2.3 kilometres (1.4 miles), equipped with 29 ship-to-shore gantry cranes. The port even has its own police force.
Halfpenny Pier lies in the heart of historic Harwich town. The town received its charter in 1238, although there is evidence of earlier settlement – for example, a record of a chapel in 1177, and some indications of a possible Roman presence.
The cache here is a nano so please bring your own pen or pencil. This is a very high muggle area so please try to look inconspicuous!
Happy caching!