Harwich Maritime Museum
Small museum in the 1818 Low Lighthouse run by the Harwich Society, with nautical memorabilia, Royal Navy displays and a ferry room.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Harwich Maritime Museum occupies the Low Lighthouse, which John Rennie Senior supervised when it was built in 1818 to replace earlier wooden light structures from the late seventeenth century. Trinity House acquired the lights in 1836, and they became redundant in 1863, when new cast-iron lighthouses were put up at Dovercourt.
The building was sold to the borough council in 1909 and taken back by Trinity House in 1970 for use as a pilot signal station. It passed to Tendring District Council in 1974 and became the Harwich Society’s maritime museum in 1980, officially opened on 4 October 1980 by the Lord Lieutenant of Essex.
The displays include photographs, paintings, ships in bottles and lighthouse bulbs, Royal Navy uniforms and badges, and a ferry room on commercial shipping from Harwich and Parkeston Quay. The top floor gives a view of ships moving in the harbour.
Highlights
- 1818 lighthouse building
- Nautical memorabilia, ships in bottles and lighthouse bulbs
- Royal Navy uniforms and badges
- Ferry room on shipping from Harwich and Parkeston Quay
- Harbour views from the top floor
Permanent exhibitions
- Nautical memorabilia – Photographs, paintings, ships in bottles and lighthouse bulbs from the maritime history of Harwich.
- Royal Navy displays – Naval uniforms and badges connected with the Royal Navy’s long presence at Harwich.
- Ferry room – A refurbished room on commercial shipping and ferries from Harwich and Parkeston Quay.
- Founded
- 1980
- Operated by
- Harwich Society (registered charity 1161931)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | £2 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | –Accompanied children are free. |
Adults £2. Accompanied children and Harwich Society members are free.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The museum is in a historic lighthouse building; no access information is published. Dogs are not accepted except guide dogs (according to Visit Essex).
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
- Hands-on stations
The museum describes itself as family-friendly: children can try on naval uniforms and hunt for pirates hidden around the displays (2022 season report).
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Railway station · 5-min walk
The museum is about a 5-minute walk from the railway station. A foot ferry runs from Felixstowe.
By car
On-street parking is available nearby.
Amenities & dining
- Museum shop
The ground floor has a projecting canopy that offers public shelter. A gift shop is listed by Visit Essex.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Good to know | The museum accepts groups and coach parties (according to Visit Essex). The Harwich Society also offers guided tours and illustrated talks. |
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