Harwich Redoubt Fort

Harwich Redoubt Fort An extremely impressive 180ft (60m) diameter circular fort built in 1808 to defend the port of Harwich This land is used for allotments.

Construction
The Redoubt was built between 1808 and 1810 to protect the port of Harwich against the threat of Napoleonic invasion. It was part of the scheme that included the construction of 29 Martello Towers on the East Anglian coast. The Redoubt is of circular shape, approximately 200ft in diameter, with a central parade ground of 85ft diameter. Hoists were used to lift shells from the lower le

vel to the gun emplacements. It is similar in design to earlier redoubts at Dymchurch and Eastbourne. Though difficult to imagine as it is now surrounded by houses, when the Redoubt was built it was on a hill top with free views in all directions. A house was demolished to make way for the Redoubt, and a large elm tree - used by ships as a navigational mark - was also removed. It is said that French prisoners of war were made to help in the construction. View from the Harwich Redoubt, showing its commanding position over the estuary
Originally armed with ten 24-pounder cannon, the Redoubt was remodelled in order to accommodate increasingly heavy guns, as technology and the perceived threat changed. In 1861-2, work was carried out to accommodate 68-pounder cannon, and the emplacements were strengthened (by adding granite facing) to withstand improved enemy artillery. Only a decade later in 1872, three of the emplacements were altered to take enormous 12 ton RML(Rifled Muzzle Loading) guns. In 1903, three emplacements received 12 pounder QF(quick firing) guns. Despite this ongoing modernisation, the Redoubt never fired a shot in anger. It is also probable that its strategic importance declined towards the end of the 19th century with the construction of the more powerful Beacon Hill Battery just to the south. In the 1920s the area around the Redoubt - previously kept clear to provide fields of fire - was bought by the Town Council. The Redoubt itself was allowed to fall into disrepair. The Redoubt was briefly taken back into military service during World War II, when it served as a detention centre for British troops awaiting trial. Examples of the graffiti left by the soldiers can still be seen in some of the rooms. Following World War II the Redoubt was used by the British Civil defence organisation who used it until they were disbanded. That was the end of the Redoubt's military service. Following a listing as an Ancient Monument, the restoration of the Harwich Redoubt began in July 1969 and has continued until the present day. When restoration began, one of the 12 ton RML guns was discovered buried in the (dry) moat - it had been pushed in when it became obsolete, as they were too large and solidly constructed to be broken up for scrap. Currently open as a museum, the Redoubt is the largest ancient monument in the UK being restored by a voluntary group. In addition to some of the original guns that armed the Redoubt, including the aforementioned 12 ton RML, there are a number of other guns on display. Around the parade ground on the lower level, the various rooms are either fitted out in reconstruction of how they might have looked, or are used as display rooms for other exhibitions. Exhibitions include a large number of replica fi****ms. Battle re-enactments and other events are held during the summer months. Source -> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harwich_Redoubt

Opening days & times, please check website https://www.harwich-society.co.uk/maritime-heritage-trail/harwich-redoubt-fort/

04/09/2026

🕊️ Tom Mallinson

It is with great sadness that we share the news that long-standing Harwich Society member and volunteer Tom Mallinson passed away on 16th August, aged 92.

Tom gave many years of dedicated service to the Harwich Society. He was a volunteer tour guide for groups visiting Harwich and, more recently, a familiar and friendly face at the Harwich Redoubt Fort, where he continued volunteering on Sundays in the entrance kiosk.
Tom was immensely proud of his association with the Harwich Society. 💙

Funeral Service
📅 Monday 28th September 2026
🕛 12 noon
📍 Oakfield Wood Burial Ground, Wrabness, Essex, CO11 2TQ
🪻Family flowers only please.

Following the service, there will be a celebration of Tom’s life at the Maybush Inn, Farm Road, Great Oakley, from approximately 12.30pm. Friends and colleagues are warmly invited to attend.

Tom gave a great deal to the Harwich Society over many years and will be fondly remembered by his fellow volunteers, members and all those who had the pleasure of knowing him.
Our thoughts are with Tom’s family and friends at this sad time.
Rest in peace, Tom. 🕊️

04/09/2026

Were you at the Electric Palace Cinema back in 1993 when Jurassic Park first hit the big screen? 🦖

More than 30 years later, we're teaming up with Electric Palace Cinema Harwich to host a special open-air screening at Harwich Redoubt Fort on Sunday 27 September.

Our £1.50 throwback tickets have all been snapped up, but there's still time to join us!

🕐 Activities from 1pm
🎬 Jurassic Park at 2.30pm (rated PG)
🎟️ £5 adults | Under-15s FREE

👉 Book your tickets Electric Palace Cinema Harwich

🦖 DINOSAURS ARE COMING TO THE REDOUBT! 🦖👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇
01/09/2026

🦖 DINOSAURS ARE COMING TO THE REDOUBT! 🦖
👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇

🦖 DINOSAURS ARE COMING TO THE REDOUBT! 🦖

On Sunday 27 September, join us at the Harwich Redoubt for a special open-air screening of Jurassic Park. 🎬

We've joined forces with the Archive Project to bring you Fort Flicks - our first ever outdoor cinema event!

Steven Spielberg’s iconic blockbuster was originally screened at the Electric Palace when it was first released in 1993. Now, more than 30 years later, we’re bringing it back to Harwich in a completely new setting.

Before dinosaurs take over the big screen, there will be family-friendly activities to enjoy, and plenty to explore on-site.

🎟️ £5 adults | Under-15s FREE
🎟️ Limited £1.50 tickets available using code FORT150 (matching the original 1993 price!)

📅 Sunday 27 September
📍 Harwich Redoubt
🕐 Activities from 1pm
🎬 Film at 2.30pm (rated PG)

Bring a picnic blanket or camping chair, dress for the weather and enjoy an unforgettable afternoon at the Redoubt!

👉 Book your tickets via the Electric Palace Cinema Harwich website.

Fort Flicks is part of the Harwich Society’s Pilot Repair Project, funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Historic England. ✨

28/08/2026

📣 PRESS RELEASE: Historic Harwich is the place to be for Heritage Open Days 💜

Historic Harwich is a fascinating place to visit at any time of the year but, as the Harwich Society, the Electric Palace Cinema Harwich Trust and Harwich Town Council all support the Heritage Open Days initiative, there is no better time than during this event when all of their visitor attractions are open free of charge.

Exploring the narrow streets and lanes of this historic old seaport is always fascinating but during Heritage Open Days there is a new place to visit almost around every corner and with local volunteers bringing the history and heritage to life, there really is no better place to visit during the weekend of Saturday 12th September and Sunday 13th September.

Mayor of Harwich, Cllr. Sean Fay, says, “With free access to one of the oldest purpose built cinemas in the world, Harwich’s Guildhall which is a Grade I listed building containing a wealth of history, and all of the Harwich Society’s visitor attractions from the Napoleonic Redoubt Fort with spectacular views over Harwich Harbour through to the High Lighthouse with fascinating views over the old town itself, there is so much to explore and enjoy in such a small area. Heritage Open Days really are a great time to visit Historic Harwich.”

The Harwich Society, the Electric Palace Cinema Trust and Harwich Town Council will all have volunteers on hand to show visitors around and walking from one attraction to the next will be a short journey through history. Edward I held a parliament in Harwich in 1397, Harwich was the first landfall for any of Drake’s ships following the defeat of the Spanish Armada and Christopher Jones, the master of the Mayflower, was a Harwich man who served on Harwich’s council in the early 17th century.

“A stroll around Harwich really is a walk through history,” continued Cllr. Fay. “The Harwich Society, the Electric Palace Cinema Trust and Harwich Town Council are all staunch supporters of Heritage Open Days and we will bring all of Harwich’s history and heritage to life during this very special weekend.”

Attractions open free of charge to visitors subject to volunteer availability are:

Bobbit's Hole nature reserve open Sunday 13th Sep from 10am – 12 noon.

Foresters (the 15th century HQ of the Harwich Society) open Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th Sep from 11am – 3pm.

High Lighthouse open Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th Sep from 11am – 3pm.

Lifeboat museum open Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th Sep from 11am – 3pm.

Maritime museum open Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th Sep from 11am – 4pm.

Radar Tower open Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th Sep 11am – 3pm.

Redoubt open Saturday 12 and Sunday 13th Sep from 10am -4pm. Sunday will include World War II Home Guard re-enactments.

The Treadwheel Crane open Saturday 12th Sep from 11am – 3pm and Sunday 13th Sep from 9.30am – 4pm.

Visitor Information Centre open Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th Sep from 10am – 4pm.

A guided walk of Historic Harwich conducted by Harwich Society tour guides will leave the Visitor Information Centre at Ha’penny Pier on Saturday 12th Sep at 2pm lasting approximately one hour.

Harwich’s Historic Guildhall will be open on Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th Sep from 2pm – 4pm where there will be an exhibition about how coastal erosion has changed Harwich Harbour since Tudor times.

Harwich’s Electric Palace Cinema, possibly the oldest purpose built cinema in the world, will be open on Saturday 12th, Sunday 13th, Tuesday 15th, Friday 18th and Saturday 19th Sep from 10am – 12 noon. Pre booking is preferred for any organised group tour. Please book via Hayley Forrest email [email protected] telephone 07516 956215.

For further information please contact:

Maria Fowler (Harwich Society) on 07761 343771
Hayley Forrest (Electric Palace Cinema Trust) on 07516 956215
Lucy Ballard (Harwich Town Council) on 01255 507211

26/08/2026

👋 Meet the team helping to care for the Harwich Redoubt Fort!

Behind every repair is a team of skilled people bringing knowledge, experience and craftsmanship to the job.

This week we asked Punch Construction Ltd some quick-fire questions...

🧱What makes working on a historic building like the Redoubt special?
We're working on an incredibly important piece of local heritage, so our approach is all about conservation, respect and minimal intervention. We focus on retaining original fabric wherever we can, using traditional materials and techniques, and making sure every repair respects the building's character.

🔍What's one thing people might not realise about heritage repair?
One of the biggest myths about heritage repair is that replacement is usually the best option. Original buildings were made with a very particular blend of materials, so using modern fixes can actually cause more harm than good. That's why heritage repair starts with careful investigation, getting to the root cause of any deterioration before work actually begins.

✨What are you looking forward to most?
Watching the Redoubt transform over the coming years, and knowing the work we do will help preserve it for generations to come. There's something really satisfying about using traditional skills to bring a building like this back to life, and leaving a lasting legacy for the local community.

Pop down to the Redoubt and take a peek at the progress so far!

Sending our thanks to The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Historic England for making this work possible."

24/08/2026

The Harwich Redoubt in Essex is being restored. 👏

The Grade II* listed structure was built from 1808 to 1810 to defend the trading and naval port of Harwich against a possible Napoleonic invasion.

The Redoubt was at risk of demolition in the 1960s but was saved by the local community, who formed the Harwich Society.

Added to the Heritage at Risk register, the Redoubt is suffering the effect of leaks and damage to the moat walls.

A scheme of repairs is now taking place to trial techniques for future restoration work, which we’re funding in partnership with The National Lottery Heritage Fund

Volunteers can support a range of practical conservation, heritage and community activities, and there will be a programme of visitor activities including tours, events and heritage skills workshops.

19/08/2026

"🔨 A new chapter begins at the Harwich Redoubt!

Work is now underway on a pilot repair project at the Harwich Redoubt, helping us to care for and protect this remarkable piece of Harwich’s history for generations to come!

Over the coming weeks, specialist heritage contractors Punch Construction Ltd will be carrying out investigations and repair trials using traditional skills and techniques.

The work has been made possible thanks to funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Historic England, whose support is helping us explore how best to preserve this impressive monument.

We’ll be sharing updates throughout the works, giving you a glimpse behind the scenes at the people and the skills involved in looking after a historic building.

Join us as the next chapter of the Redoubt’s story unfolds!"



Harwich Redoubt Fort

'At-risk Napoleonic monument gets £360k for repairs' BBC NewsIt was saved from demolition in the 1960s and is now operat...
19/08/2026

'At-risk Napoleonic monument gets £360k for repairs' BBC News

It was saved from demolition in the 1960s and is now operated by The Harwich Society.

Chairman, Andy Schooler said: "Harwich has a wealth of historic buildings, and the Redoubt fort is the jewel in this crown.

"We are very proud of all our volunteers who work so hard to ensure this precious piece of Harwich's history is preserved for present and future generations."

The building has been suffering from leaks and needs "essential" upkeep, says a charity.

14/04/2026

We love being part of a community that depends on (and cares about!) the Haven as much as we do 💙

⚓ From supporting safe navigation to investing in local initiatives and protecting our environment, we’re always looking at how we can do more for the people who use and enjoy our waters.

That’s why we’ve launched our Stakeholder Survey 2026 - and we’d really like to hear from you.

💬 Whether you’re out on the water, part of a local business, or simply interested in the Haven, your views matter.

⏱️ It only takes a few minutes to complete
👉 Take the survey here: https://re-url.uk/WH3E

Address

Main Road
Harwich
CO123LT

Opening Hours

Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm
Sunday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

+447973413869

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