Historic Harwich Pub Trail - What's Open and What's On

What's Open

The story goes that Harwich once had the highest density of pubs in the land and it is quite easy to locate over 40 in the old town alone. Of course as the years have gone by and the town and habits have changed that number has fallen significantly but there are 8 still open today and they are joined by a number of licensed hotels, restaurants and cafes.

Many community events are planned in the pubs and quite a few are held in them. There is a list of regular events in our what's on section on this page and pop-up events or things of note can often be found on our social media feed on the homepage.

In fact, for its size, the old town is still a great destination for people looking for something to eat or drink so here is a quick list of establishments for your consideration:

Alma Inn

Vibrant pub with a great atmosphere in a truly historic building. The pub always has a great range of real ales and excellent food which is served seven days a week from midday to 10pm. The pub also has six stunning rooms for overnight stops or short breaks to explore the area.
Click here to go the Alma's web site.
Click here to go the Trail Page.
Phone the Alma on 01255 318681.
Show on the map.

British Flag

Historic boozer in the town's famous West Street.
Click here to go the Trail Page.
Phone the British Flag on 01255 502717
Show on the map.

Globe

Now the closest public house to the quay. The pub has an impressive selection of bottled beer and real cider.
Click here to go the Trail Page.
Phone the Globe on 01255 504999.
Show on the map.

Hanover Inn

Traditional fisherman's pub next to St. Nicholas Church. The pub is known for its real ale and hearty lunchtime and evening food.
Click here to go to the Hanover's web site.
Click here to go the Trail Page.
Phone the Hanover on 01255 502927.
Show on the map.

New Bell Inn

Buzzing community pub where the conversation can take you anywhere! Great selection of real ale and hearty lunchtime food.
Click here to go to the New Bell's web site.
Click here to go the Trail Page.
Phone the New Bell on 01255 503545.
Show on the map.

Samuel Pepys Wine Bar & Restaurant

A modern wine bar and restaurant in a lovely 16th Century building. Great value food.
Click here to go to the web site.
Click here to go the Trail Page.
Phone Samuel Pepys on 01255 503857.
Show on the map.

Shakers Bar

Originally the Elephant & Castle this interesting building is now a lively bar.
Click here to go the Trail Page.
Phone Shakers on 01255 556627.
Show on the map.

Stingray

This lively pub in Church Street now sports a dance floor but was once a co-op pub where you got your "divvy" with your beer!
Click here to go to the web site.
Click here to go the Trail Page.
Phone the Stingray on 01255 503507.
Show on the map.

Pier Hotel

Upmarket hotel on the Quay including the former Angel public house. The Pier has been recently refurbished with a relaxing bar area, upstairs restaurant and an outside balcony for al fresco dining with stunning views of the rivers Stour and Orwell.
Click here to go to the web site.
Show on the map.

Thai up at the Quay

Superb restaurant offering authentic Thai cuisine, all freshly cooked to order and served in the historic setting of the former Half Moon public house.
Click here to go to the web site.
Click here to go the Trail Page.
Phone Thai up at the Quay on 01255 554532.
Show on the map.

Cafe on the Pier

Enjoy stunning views of the harbour whilst enjoying breakfast, coffee, lunch or afternoon tea. The cafe has cosy indoor seating for the colder months and outdoor tables and chairs when the weather is kinder.
Show on the map.

Pieseas Chippy

Fantastic fish and chip shop in West Street which is very popular with locals and vistors alike.
Phone Pieseas on 01255 553030.
Show on the map.

Crown Post

An extensive menu and fine wines are served in this wonderful 16th Century building.
Click here to go to the web site.
Phone the Crown Post on 01255 553131.
Show on the map.

Treo Bar & Cafe

Popular cafe/restaurant in the old Golden Lion public house.
Click here to go to the web site.
Phone Treo on 01255 240004.
Show on the map.

Saif Tandoori

Modern Indian and Bangladeshi cuisine served in a relaxed atmosphere in the heart of Old Harwich.
Click here to go to the web site.
Phone Saif Tandoori on 01255 240288.
Show on the map.

What's On

Harwich has a certain reputation for quirky events so watch our social media feed on the homepage for interesting information. Aside from pop-up entertainment there are a few well-established and regular events to watch out for. Rather than try and pedantically list them here we've tried to link to the sites of the people or organisations that organise them:

Harwich Ale Trail (April/May)
The ancient inns and hostelries of Old Harwich invite you to wander, sample and converse with your fellow man (and woman) in the time-honoured fashion. Facebook page here.
Harwich Festival of the Arts (June/July)
A huge range of artistic endeavour in a wide range of formats presented around the Old Town and surrounding area. Dedicated website here.
Harwich Sea Festival (July)
All sorts of sea and shore-based entertainment to celebrate the town's historic links with the sea. Jointly organised by the Rotary Club of Harwich and Dovercourt and Harwich RNLI. Dedicated website here.
Beer Festival at the Redoubt (July)
A unique beer festival in the fantastic setting of the Harwich Redoubt - a circular fort dating from the Napoleonic era. Organised by Harwich Town Brewery. Details on their website here.
Motorcycle Run in Aid of Essex Air Ambulance (September)
Harwich becomes the endpoint of the Essex Air Ambulance Motorcycle Run which sees over 5000 bikers descend on Old Harwich and specifically the Family Festival on St. Helen's Green.
Harwich Shanty Festival (October)
Three days of traditional seafaring entertainment in and around Old Harwich - quite a lot of which is based in pubs!
Harwich Guy Carnival (October)
Started by Royal Navy shipyard apprentices in 1854 this uniquely Harwich event sees floats and people parade through the dark streets raising money for charity and poking fun at each other. Organised by the Harwich & Dovercourt Rotary Club.
Harwich Sausage Festival (November)
Held during British Sausage Week during November this wacky event combines a sausage throwing competition followed by a blind public tasting of 12 local sausages in 3 Harwich pubs. Organised by the Tendring branch of the Campaign for Real Ale.
Harwich & Parkeston Winter Ale Festival (November)
50 plus real ales with the emphasis on dark and seasonal brews are assembled in the Railway Club in Parkeston to challenge your taste buds and set you up for Christmas. Organised by the Tendring branch of the Campaign for Real Ale.