Harwich - Group Excursions
If you are a cruise ship operator using Harwich International
Port - then why not plan some on-shore excursions for your
passengers... and discover the East of England
The East of England
Directly to the north of London, the East of
England has preserved much of its unspoilt
character, rural landscape, architecture and
traditions. Here under huge sweeping skies,
you can discover gently rolling countryside and
an unspoilt coastline, home to historic cities,
traditional market towns and picturesque
villages of timber-framed and thatch. Visit
ancient sites, historic houses, gardens and
important nature reserves.
This page brings together a selection of ideas
for group excursions in the Harwich - ‘Haven
Gateway' area.
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Cambridge (Full Day)
Harwich to Cambridge - about 1 hour, 45 minutes.
Compact and cosmopolitan - the famous University
city of Cambridge is noted for its ancient colleges
(the first founded in 1284) and historic churches.
They make up one of the finest collections of buildings in Europe. The crowning
glory is King's College Chapel, with its outstanding fan-vaulted ceiling. Enjoy a
walking tour of the medieval streets, college courts, gardens and bridges, or take a
trip along the River Cam through the lush greenery and flower-rich meadows of the
'Backs' aboard a punt Great shopping ranges from High Street favourites to book
and speciality shops. Discover theatres, galleries, museums, pubs, clubs,
restaurants and lovely parks to relax.
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Artists Inspiration (1/2 Day)
Harwich to East Bergholt - about 40 minutes.
Travel to the village of East Bergholt, birthplace of Britain's greatest landscape
artist - John Constable. See his former studio, and visit the church with its
wooden bell cage. Continue onto Flatford Mill, scene of Constable's most famous
work - ‘The Hay Wain'. From here, your passengers can walk across the meadows
to the attractive village of Dedham, with its Georgian-fronted houses, old inns and
magnificent 15th C. church.
If you are looking for a full day tour, then why not add one of these to the above:
- The former home of another renowned artist - Sir Alfred Munnings can be visited
in Dedham, with scenes of horses and rural life his great love.
- A short drive away is Sudbury - where the birthplace of Thomas Gainsborough
(portrait paintings) displays more of his work than any other museum in the world.
- Tudor Christchurch Mansion in Ipswich boasts the best collection of
Constable and Gainsborough works outside London.
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Newmarket (Full Day)
Harwich to Newmarket - about 1 hour, 30 minutes.
Set amongst rolling chalk heathland - Newmarket is internationally renowned for
being the historic home of horseracing. Travel to this busy market town, home to
around 2,500 horses, numerous stable yards and training gallops. Visit the
horseracing museum, where you can ride a horse simulator, then take a tour of the
National Stud with its top class stallions, mares and foals. Why not plan your tour to
coincide with the excitement, drama and glamour of a horseracing fixture?
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Britten's Aldeburgh (Full Day)
Harwich to Aldeburgh - about 1 hour, 20 minutes.
Travel to the charming and fashionable seaside town
of Aldeburgh - where Britain's most famous modern
composer Benjamin Britten lived. See the
timber-framed Moot Hall which provided the setting
for the dramatic opening of ‘Peter Grimes', then take
a stroll along the shingle beach to find the scallop
shell memorial to him. At the fine church you can
see Britten's grave. A stone's throw away is the
superb concert hall at Snape, home of the annual
Aldeburgh Festival (June) founded in 1948 by Britten.
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Colchester (1/2 or Full Day)
Harwich to Colchester - about 40 minutes.
Travel to Colchester - Britain's oldest recorded town.
Discover important Roman remains, alongside
Europe's biggest Norman castle keep, now an
award-winning museum with fun interactive displays.
It is set in an attractive park with green open spaces
and gardens. The town is also noted for its great
shopping, vibrant culture and nightlife, such as bars,
restaurants and theatre - alongside the new inspirational
‘firstsite' contemporary art gallery (opening spring 2011).
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Ipswich (1/2 or Full Day)
Harwich to Ipswich - about 50 minutes.
Set beside the River Orwell, Ipswich is England's oldest continuously settled
Anglo-Saxon town. Historic buildings include twelve medieval churches, the
Unitarian Meeting House, Wolsey's Gate and the Ancient House - with its
impressive display of pargetting. Tudor Christchurch Mansion is set
in over 65 acres of parkland, and boasts the best collection of Constable and
Gainsborough works outside London. Take a stroll along the waterfront, with its
marina, restaurants and river cruises. Ipswich is also noted for its good shopping
and nightlife (bars and theatres).
Here under huge sweeping skies, you
can discover gently rolling countryside
and an unspoilt coastline, home to
historic cities, traditional market
towns and picturesque villages of
timber-framed and thatch
Suffolk Wool Towns (1/2 Day if just
visiting Lavenham or Full Day
for complete tour)
visiting Lavenham or Full Day
for complete tour)
Harwich to Lavenham - about 1 hour, 10 minutes.
Set amongst green rolling countryside, enjoy a tour of
this area which was made rich by the former 15th C.
wool trade. It's wealth is seen today in the many
beautiful churches and timber-framed houses, which
were endowed by the successful merchants.
Travel through picturesque villages to
Lavenham - England's best preserved medieval
town, with its narrow streets, speciality shops
and tearooms. Then continue onto Long Melford,
where the tree-lined village street is lined with
fine buildings housing antique shops, art galleries
and designer boutiques. There are also two
historic houses to visit - moated Kentwell and
Melford - the latter noted for its connections
with author Beatrix Potter.
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Bury St. Edmunds and
Ickworth (Full Day)
Ickworth (Full Day)
Harwich to Bury St. Edmunds - about 1 hour, 10 minutes.
Travel to the ancient market town of Bury St. Edmunds - which for more than five
centuries was visited by pilgrims from all over the world, coming to worship at the
shrine of the martyred Edmund, King of East Anglia. During medieval times,
a powerful abbey grew up - the remains can be admired in the award-winning
Abbey Gardens. They are overlooked by the cathedral, which dates back to
1503, complete with its new stunning Millennium Tower. After lunch, head to the
eccentric oval-shaped Ickworth House, with its important collection of paintings,
Italianate garden and miles of way-marked walks.
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Imperial War Museum Duxford (Full Day)
Harwich to Imperial War Museum
Duxford - about 1 hour, 45 minutes.
The Imperial War Museum Duxford is one of the
world's most spectacular aviation heritage
complexes. Discover AirSpace, a world-class
exhibition telling the story of Britain's civil and military
aviation, past, present and future. There is also the
American Air Museum, which stands as a memorial
to the 30,000 Americans who died flying from the UK
in the Second World War. Add to this the UK's finest
collection of military vehicles and various
events including air shows.
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Beth Chatto Gardens (1/2 Day)
Harwich to Beth Chatto Gardens - about 25 minutes.
Keen gardeners will enjoy this tour of these
internationally acclaimed gardens of drought, water
and woodland. From an overgrown wasteland in
1960, with poor gravel soil and boggy hollows, the
site has been transformed into an informal garden.
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Sutton Hoo and Woodbridge (Full Day)
Harwich to Sutton Hoo - about 1 hour.
Travel to Sutton Hoo (nr. Woodbridge) - the famous royal burial site of Anglo-Saxon
kings, where priceless treasures were unearthed in 1939. This is one of Britain's
most important archaeological sites. Take a walk around the mounds and visit the
excellent exhibition that houses a full-size reconstruction of the ship's burial
chamber. After your visit, return to the attractive market town of Woodbridge, where
the narrow streets hide many historic buildings.
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Suffolk Castles (Full Day)
Harwich to Framlingham - about 1 hour.
The Norman invasion of 1066 brought the region some spectacular castles - and
this tour will take you to two of the best. Travel to the ancient market town of
Framlingham, noted for its well-preserved 12th C. stronghold, built by the Bigod
family. Tour the castle with an audio guide, including a walk along the top of the
curtain walls with is thirteen towers. Continue onto Orford, an attractive small town
steeped in history. It is overlooked by its impressive castle keep built by Henry VII for
coastal defence. Explore the maze of passages leading to the roof with its
magnificent views seaward to Orford Ness.
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