Harwich Museum
Volunteer-run museum in Anglia House telling the story of Harwich and Dovercourt, with Kindertransport, local history and a tea bar.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Harwich Museum opened on 21 August 2021 in Anglia House on Main Road, a building that was formerly the offices of Bernard Uniform and stands opposite Harwich Town station. It is run as a charity, and every member of the team is a volunteer. The museum is a member of Museums Essex.
Its displays look at the long history of the port and the neighbouring seaside district of Dovercourt. Rooms cover the evacuation of Harwich schoolchildren in June 1940, the Kindertransport, during which children arrived in Dovercourt, and the nearby holiday camp that later became a television setting. Further exhibitions explore subjects such as the Trinity House organisation, which has its largest operational base in Harwich.
A reference library in the Potts Reading Room off the first gallery holds books and periodicals on the history, archaeology and surroundings of Harwich and Dovercourt, and the museum keeps photographs and other archive material. A lecture room hosts regular talks, and the building also has a gift shop and the Lighthouse Tea Bar.
Highlights
- Kindertransport exhibition and the Warner’s holiday camp at Dovercourt
- The Day the Children Left, on the June 1940 evacuation of Harwich schoolchildren
- Hi-de-Hi! memorabilia
- Reference library and local photographic archive
- Lighthouse Tea Bar and gift shop
Permanent exhibitions
- Kindertransport – An exhibition on the programme that brought Jewish children to safety in Britain, including the arrival of children at the Dovercourt holiday camp.
- The Day the Children Left – A display on the evacuation by train of 1,200 children and 77 teachers from Harwich in June 1940.
- Warner’s camp and Hi-de-Hi! – An exhibition on the Dovercourt holiday camp, with memorabilia from the 1980s sitcom that was filmed at a camp near Harwich.
- Founded
- 2021
- Operated by
- Harwich Museum (registered charity 1217308)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | £4 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 15 · Under 16s are free when accompanied by an adult. |
| Annual ticket | £15 |
Day ticket £4; an annual ticket costs £15.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The museum describes wheelchair-friendly access with exhibits that are easy to reach. Accessible bays are on site and accessible toilets are available, including one near the tea room. Baby changing facilities are provided.
Kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 15 |
|---|
- Baby changing facilities
Under 16s enter free with an adult. Baby changing facilities are available.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Harwich Town station / Harwich Town bus station
Harwich Town station is a short walk away, with trains from London Liverpool Street via Manningtree. The museum stands opposite Harwich Town bus station. Ferries from the Hook of Holland arrive in Harwich.
By car
Free parking
Free on-site car parking, with accessible bays. Off-street parking is limited, but there is plenty of on-street parking nearby. Coach parking is on site by arrangement.
- Accessible parking
The museum is on Main Road. From the M25 take the A12 and then the A120 and B1352 to Harwich; the museum is on the right, opposite the station.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Museum shop
The Lighthouse Tea Bar is open Wednesday 10:00–13:00, Thursday 10:00–14:00 and Saturday and Sunday 10:00–14:00 during the season, staffed by volunteers, so it may occasionally be closed; there is outdoor seating. The gift shop sells local souvenirs, postcards and local history books.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| School programs | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Schools and groups are welcome by prior arrangement through the contact page. A theatre-style lecture room hosts talks (listed under Events), free to museum visitors. A reference library is open whenever the museum is open. |
