Harwich - local knowledge

Spuddy

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Planning a trip North and may use Harwich as a stopover. Halfpenny Pier is tucked just inside but E C Pilot says beware swells from passing ships. How rolly is it? Endurable overnight or should I head for either Shotley Marina or Suffolk Yacht Harbour up the Orwell ? Anything to choose between those two?
Thanks, Tony D
 
Planning a trip North and may use Harwich as a stopover. Halfpenny Pier is tucked just inside but E C Pilot says beware swells from passing ships. How rolly is it? Endurable overnight or should I head for either Shotley Marina or Suffolk Yacht Harbour up the Orwell ? Anything to choose between those two?
Thanks, Tony D

Better than it used to be, best to get on the inside if you can. large fenders are / were provided. good toilets & showers available & cost is very reasonable.
suggest you visit Sam Pepys Bistro for a nice meal
 
Just to add to the info provided... You'd be unlucky to get more than 2 ships passing up the stour in a night (anything in the Orwell won't be a problem), and as Roger says, not a problem on the inside...

Agree with FC though... Erwarton Ness is a lovely anchorage!
 
How about dropping the hook at Erwarton Ness? Nice and peaceful.

Agreed too

IMG_20100709_204613.jpg
 
I found things a bit different to others on here when I have had an overnight stop on Halfpenny pier.
We could not get inside on any occasion and spent the night rolling and bumping the pontoon.
Mostly caused by the Pilot boats charging in and out of their dock round the corner.
It can also be a bit noisy from the loading of the container ships over at Felixstowe.
If you need a very quite night and don't want to anchor I would go the Suffolk Yacht Harbour If you want to get ashore.
The only down side is that it is about 1/2 hour up river.
Good meals in the Lightship there.
If you aren't so worried about a bit of noise Shotley is a great place to stop and the meals in the Harbour lights restaurant there are fine or you can walk along the sea wall to the Bristol Arms for an excellent pub meal.
We seem to spend quite a few nights in Shotley each year.
Mind you the place is stuffed with a lot of the reprobates on here.
 
I found things a bit different to others on here when I have had an overnight stop on Halfpenny pier.
We could not get inside on any occasion and spent the night rolling and bumping the pontoon.
Mostly caused by the Pilot boats charging in and out of their dock round the corner.
It can also be a bit noisy from the loading of the container ships over at Felixstowe.
If you need a very quite night and don't want to anchor I would go the Suffolk Yacht Harbour If you want to get ashore.
The only down side is that it is about 1/2 hour up river.
Good meals in the Lightship there.
If you aren't so worried about a bit of noise Shotley is a great place to stop and the meals in the Harbour lights restaurant there are fine or you can walk along the sea wall to the Bristol Arms for an excellent pub meal.
We seem to spend quite a few nights in Shotley each year.
Mind you the place is stuffed with a lot of the reprobates on here.
Harbour Lights is at Titchmarsh, Shipwreck at Shotley.
 
Harbour Lights is at Titchmarsh, Shipwreck at Shotley.

Sadly, the food there is erm... lacking IMO. The Bristol arms is much better, but getting a bit pricier. Being based at Shotley, we have transport and have been known to nip to Nacton for some food. The Hungry Horse there serves a decent meal for not a lot of money.
 
We often go to Buttermans at Woolverstone Marina and have always had an excellent meal.
Even took my work bods out there the other year for our Xmas bash.
Food is top notch decent food properly cooked. Friendly people too.
It's certainly not a pile it high sell it cheap place so if that's what you are after best go elsewhere.
No connection other than satisfied customer - you've only got to look at me :eek: :D

Oh, and if you are moored at Halfpenny Pier, there's a decent chippy in the town just past the church.
 
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Sadly, the food there is erm... lacking IMO. The Bristol arms is much better, but getting a bit pricier. Being based at Shotley, we have transport and have been known to nip to Nacton for some food. The Hungry Horse there serves a decent meal for not a lot of money.
Should be wonderful after the shut down and refurb?
 
Hungry lot aren't we......thanks for the recommendations including all the places to eat. Only anticipating an overnight pause but you never can tell.
Thanks again everybody.
 
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