Riise

Theres not too much to do in Harwich, if you have a full day it might be worth heading to Colchester which is Britains oldest recorded town. Its a simple car or train journey from Harwich and you could visit some historic sites like the castle and the park it is set in or just shop/eat/drink. For food there are lots of different places from pubs like Three Wise Monkeys and Kings Arms to nice resutarants including Mussi, Green Room and The Warehouse.

If you don't fancy going that far you have Manningtree/Mistely near by. Situated on the river Stour there are some nice walks in the area and also good food places including the Misltey Thorn or Luccas in Manningtree high street. Again this can be reached by car or train.

You could venture to the Flatford/Dedham area for a nice boat on the river in some very lovely countryside however you would have to either drive or walk quite far from Manningtree train station to get there.

You could get a ferry across from Hook of Holland to Harwich then rent a car and start in a part of the UK not often seen by many tourists. You have Constable country near by, then head to Colchester for some history before moving on to the Norfolk broads and then the Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire fens. Then continue up the east side of Britain for the other places people have mentioned including using the ferry for Ireland before coming back to London having done a rather large loop ready for your return flight.

While harwich itself does not have too much to do you could stop for a day or two in Colchester. While it is not always thought of as a tourist destination it does have loads of history which can match anywhere in the UK. Its the oldest recorded town and was the original Roman capital as well as having the foundations to the Temple of Claudius it also has the largets Norman keen in Europe. In recent years (and even weeks) other discoveries have been made such as a Roman chariot track so theres loads in the way of history to see.

If you stayed there you would also have the option to head out to Constable country (about 20mins north by car) known as that due to John Constables famous paintings of the area. It would require a car to get to but places like Flatford and Dedham are beautiful and you also have the option to hire a boat and row up and down the river.

While other places maybe more well know i honestly think this part of the country is often overlooked and it would be right on your route to Harwich.

The Flatford area around the river Stour is lovely, its known as Constable country after the famous artist who painted many scenes in around there. You also have other parts of the Suffolk countryside include the coast abit further up with places like Walberswick.

If you are in to history then Colchester is a good bet, its the oldest record town in Britian and was the Roman capital. Theres a Norman castle (I think the biggest in Europe) built on the foundations of the roman temple of Claudius, the Roman wall surrounding the town as well as other history including alot regarding the English civil war.

I honestly think the Essex/Suffolk boarder area has so much to offer but is often ignored, not helped it seems by many councils lack of publicising them.

If you are coming from Barcelona you could look at flying to Stansted and getting a taxi/private hire form there. Its a lot closer to Harwich and also misses out the M25.

Otherwise gatwick is the better side of London for Essex, the train route from Liverpool St station is a very popular one for commuters so theres lots of trains. Like others have said if you don't get the cruise one you do change at manningtree but its a small station and not too difficult.

If you do come in early you could visit somewhere on route such as Colchester, that would cut your journey down and show you some less touristy places with a heck of a lot of history.

While Ryanair have a bar reputation i don't think they are as bad as people make out especially for a quick trip across to Dublin. Most of the complaints were about there strict enforcment of policies such as hand luggage however it seems of late they have tried to become more customer friendly. Its not an amzazing airline but for a cheap flight for only about an hour its great.

As someone who lives quite close i would really reccomend looking at Stansted. While you still have to go the A120(E), A12 and then A120(W) route when drivning its unlikely to have too many problems. If you go to LGW you have the issues further south on the A12 and then the M25, If you go to Southend you have the south A12 again but also the A127 which can be a nasty road and if you really do go for LHR you have a horrible journey down the A12 and right around the M25.

It always amazes me that a place with as much history as colchester has failed to become a major tourist attraction in its own right.

Those places along the River Stour though are also great to visit, Flatford, Dedham and others are i guess what alot of people consider typical Englsih countryside villages.

Did you stay in Harwich or take you to other areas?

I think the Essex/Suffolk boarder area is often missed by a lot of people but does have soem lovelly places to visit and areas with history that can rival any town/city in the UK.

Hi Kathy,

Thanks for updating us and im glad you had a good time. I think the problem Colchester has is for all its amazing history it seems those in charge try to hide it. Maybe in the future that will change.

Its interesting what you say about the Roman circus, I'm not sure what is going to happen there. I have heard talk of a big visitor centre being built but also seen a petition to try and save it as a housing developer owns the land and wants to put houses there.

Anyway if you need any advice again when you return just ask.

John - While i agree with alot of what you say i think you are being a bit harsh or the area near Harwich. It might be a small town at the end of the line but some of the areas around it are pretty good to go and see. Just down the road from Harwich is Constable Country which is an amazing area, while both Ipswich and Colchester are not quite as limited as you make out. Colchester is of course the oldest record town in Britain and the Roman capital so can pretty much match any other town/city for history. Not too mention the Suffolk coastal area of towns such as Southwold and Walberswich not too far away and the same can be said of areas in Essex such as Maldon and other smaller country villages.

No doubt Southampton has better access to London and the South West but the Essex/Suffolk area does also have a lot to offer visitors who head up this way......Even if certain councils seem determined to hide it.

TourDeCruise

If you also take a stroll along Ryegate Rd, that goes alongside the castle park, there is a building you are able to look through the window of to see some Roman ruins. i can't at present actually remember what it was but the bricks in the road also change colour to demonstrate where the ruins would have originally extended to.

As for tea rooms the best road to try might be Trinity Street, theres a number of tea rooms along here including one thats inside the church at the top of the street.

While Colchester Castle itself is shut the Castle park ground are still all open, i would really suggesting spending some time walking around them.

Its worth noting that although the Castle is being revamped it is still at present being used for certain 'one off' events that might be going on while your there. I went to a beer festival there recently which was excellent.