Editing Harwich (section)

== Architecture ==
[[File:The Halfpenny Pier at Harwich - geograph.org.uk - 40531.jpg|thumbnail|The Halfpenny Pier]]
Despite, or perhaps because of, its small size Harwich is highly regarded in terms of architectural heritage, and the whole of the older part of the town, excluding Navyard Wharf, is a [[conservation area]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.harwich-society.co.uk/old/info_navyard.htm|title=Harwich Society, 2008.|access-date=12 November 2006|archive-date=7 September 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070907062719/http://www.harwich-society.co.uk/old/info_navyard.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The regular street plan with principal thoroughfares connected by numerous small alleys indicates the town's [[medieval]] origins, although many buildings of this period are hidden behind 18th century facades.

[[File:King's Head Street, Harwich, quay end.jpg|upright|thumb|left|King's Head Street]]
[[File:Harwich Guildhall.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Harwich Guildhall]]]]
The extant medieval structures are largely private homes.  The house featured in the image of Kings Head St to the left is unique in the town and is an example of a sailmaker's house, thought to have been built circa 1600.  Notable public buildings include the [[parish church]] of St. Nicholas <ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ukattraction.com/east-of-england/st-nicholas-church.htm |title=UK Attraction: St. Nicholas Church. |access-date=29 July 2010 |archive-date=19 May 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050519001414/http://www.ukattraction.com/east-of-england/st-nicholas-church.htm |url-status=dead}}</ref> of 1820–1822 (architect: M G Thompson of Dedham<ref>Bettley, J. and Pevsner, N., ''The Buildings of England: Essex'', Yale UP (2007, rev ed. 2010) p.472</ref>), in a restrained [[Gothic architecture|Gothic]] style, with many original furnishings, including a somewhat altered [[pipe organ|organ]] in the west end gallery. There is also the [[Harwich Guildhall]] of 1769, the only Grade I [[listed building]] in Harwich.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.harwich-society.co.uk/the-guildhall/|title=The Guildhall|publisher=Harwich Society|access-date=30 May 2021}}</ref>

[[File:Pier Hotel, Harwich, Essex - geograph.org.uk - 118960.jpg|upright|thumb|Pier Hotel]]
The Pier Hotel of 1860 and the building that was the Great Eastern Hotel of 1864 can both been seen on the quayside, both reflecting the town's new importance to travellers following the arrival of the [[Great Eastern Main Line]] from [[Colchester railway station|Colchester]] in 1854. In 1923, The Great Eastern Hotel was closed<ref>{{cite book |last=Hughes |first=Geoffrey |year=1986 |title=LNER |location=Shepperton |publisher=Ian Allan Ltd |page=[https://archive.org/details/lner0000hugh/page/157 157] |isbn=0-7110-1428-0 |url=https://archive.org/details/lner0000hugh/page/157}}</ref> by the newly formed LNER, as the [[Great Eastern Railway]] had opened a new hotel with the same name at the new passenger port at Parkeston Quay, causing a decline in numbers. The hotel became the Harwich Town Hall, which included the Magistrates Court and, following changes in local government, was sold and divided into apartments.
[[File:Trinity House, Harwich.jpg|upright|thumb|The Trinity House offices]]
Also of interest are the High Lighthouse (1818), the unusual Treadwheel Crane (late 17th century), the Old Custom Houses on West Street, a number of [[Victorian era|Victorian]] shopfronts and the [[Electric Palace Cinema]] (1911), one of the oldest purpose-built cinemas to survive complete with its ornamental frontage and original projection room still intact and operational.

There is little notable building from the later parts of the 20th century, but major recent additions include the [[lifeboat (rescue)|lifeboat]] station and two new structures for [[Trinity House]]. The Trinity House office building, next door to the Old Custom Houses, was completed in 2005. All three additions are influenced by the [[High-tech architecture|high-tech]] style.