Ha'penny Pier — Attraction in Tendring

Ha'penny Pier, located in the historic town of Harwich in Essex, England, is a charming and iconic pier that has been a focal point of the town for over a century. The name "Ha'penny Pier" harks back to the days when visitors had to pay a halfpenny to access the pier, and while the toll is long gone, the pier remains a beloved symbol of Harwich's maritime heritage.

Stretching out into the estuary of the River Stour, Ha'penny Pier offers visitors stunning panoramic views of the water, the surrounding coastline, and the historic Harwich waterfront. The pier has a classic and timeless feel, with its wooden planks, wrought iron railings, and vintage-style street lamps, creating an atmosphere that transports visitors to a bygone era.

Ha'penny Pier is not only a scenic spot but also a functional one. It serves as a landing point for the Harwich Harbour Ferry, which transports passengers between Harwich, Shotley, and Felixstowe. The pier also accommodates private vessels, making it a bustling hub for boat enthusiasts and travelers exploring the picturesque coastline.

Visitors to Ha'penny Pier can enjoy leisurely strolls along its length, taking in the sea air and the beautiful views. The pier area features several amenities, including a café, gift shops, and a visitor center, making it an ideal place for a relaxed day out by the water. It is also a great spot for photography and capturing the essence of a traditional British seaside town.

Whether you're interested in maritime history, want to savor the sights and sounds of a coastal town, or simply seek a peaceful spot to relax, Ha'penny Pier in Harwich has much to offer. It remains a cherished part of the town's identity, drawing both locals and tourists to its welcoming and...

Lots of gentle pastimes to do here. Crabbing on the pier. What could be more fun! Always a gaggle of kids having a lovely time pulling up buckets of tiddler crabs and then the fun of seeing them scramble back into the sea when let out of their temporary incarceration. Watching the Trinity House buoy-laying and maintenance vessels coming in and out, lifting things off the decks with cranes and doing other nautical mysteries with hawsers and throwing lines.

Nearby is Lightvessel LV18, which you can visit. This is the only Lightvessel, of the many which encircle our island, which still retains its crew fixtures and fitting - all the others are unmanned vessels now. This one is operated by the Pharos Trust. A local charity which does great work in Harwich to promote this interesting and historic town.

The Cafe on the Pier is well worth a visit. See my other review.

Also worth an honourable mention is the Ha'penny Pier Museum. Populated by lovely old ladies on the day I visited who could not have been more helpful. Worth dropping in to look at the model ships.

If you are a sailor, then it's well worth trying to find space on the inside of the pontoon of the pier as the wave motion is much reduced. There's plenty of depth at high tide to manoeuvre in our experience (we draw 1.5 m) your experience may vary, obviously! The new showers and loos for mariners are very clean and tidy after a recent face-lift. No electricity currently, but there's always the local pubs if you need to charge some devices. It's first-come first-served on the moorings and the Pier Masters are there for a couple of hours in the afternoon and early evening and in the morning. They could not be more friendly and helpful. A real credit to the nature of this...

Ha'penny Pier is an absolutely essential visiting point in Harwich Town because it truly seems to capture the maritime character of this unique tiny port. Ha'penny Pier is itself of very limited size, but this is all part of its quaint appeal, having survived a fire that destroyed its full length. The kinked platform remaining is enough space to support the pontoon access to the Foot Ferry, compact cafe, & visitors' information kiosk. Ha'penny Pier is an ideal observation spot, facing towards the RNLI Station & LV18. There's at least a dozen benches along the boardwalk from where it's possible to watch the Seagulls, local & international sea traffic. Anglers use the Pier to catch whatever's in season, & it's even become a display for maritime themed 3D artwork; 'Esturiana'. But maybe the best time of all to visit is after dark, when the lights from nearby Felixstowe Docks are reflected across the water, or best of all when a Stena Lines ferry passes on the way to Parkeston, with all the porthole windows lit. Ha'penny Pier is also where to catch the Foot Ferry, the pontoon serving as a midpoint on the triangular route between Felixstowe & Shotley. A collection of padlocks has amassed from visitors, to be found on the railings at the far end of Ha'penny Pier. There's even free wi-fi provided on-site...