"Harwich was once a busy naval dockyard, building warships for Henry VIII but today its seafront is full of painters, photographers and bird watchers. There’s also an annual festival of the Festival of the Arts (24 June – 5 July) during which you can see some of that artwork in an exhibition called “Eastern Light”. There’ll be concerts every day at 12 noon in St Nicholas Church with the opportunity to have lunch with the musicians at the Alma Inn afterwards. Do visit Harwich’s ‘Art Quarter’ this summer and stay at The Pier, a delightful Victorian hotel with a charming annex next door in an old low-ceilinged seafaring inn. The Pier is a work of art in its own right, built in the “Venetian Palazzo” style at a time when Londoners took the boat train to Harwich in order to sail to Belgium."

"Life in the historic town of Harwich revolves entirely around its busy quayside. Having received its charter back in the thirteenth century the town is steeped in history and boasts a lively nautical scene, with the busy harbour still offering regular ferry trips to Holland. However, if dry land is more your scene, book in to The Pier Hotel. Proudly located on the quay and you can take in the nautical views from the comfort of one of their fourteen contemporary rooms. Flooded with natural light the stylishly decorated rooms offer comfy beds, private bathrooms and free Wi-Fi."

"The Pier Hotel was built in 1862 in response to railway lines reaching this east coast port. On the outside it’s very much a Victorian take on the Venetian palazzo, standing close to the town’s famous Ha’Penny Pier. These days the hotel has fourteen enlarged contemporary rooms with a nautical feel to the decor. The Pier’s waterside restaurants are famed for their fish and chips."