Harwich’s maritime history is defined by its deep-water, natural haven at the confluence of the Stour and Orwell estuaries. It has been a strategic Royal Navy base, a bustling packet station, the birthplace of the Mayflower, and currently serves as a vital international deep-water port.
The Navyard in Harwich (historically the King's Yard) is a prominent waterfront area along King's Quay Street. It features a major commercial cargo wharf and has deep historical roots, dating back to a naval dockyard founded in 1326. The site is also home to the Navyard Wharf, a hub for Roll-on/Roll-off cargo ships serving the North Sea