Shotley Marina
We visited Shotley Marina for its Harwich Haven views, walked part of the Suffolk Coastal Path and took the passenger ferry across to historic Harwich.
Shotley Gate, Suffolk and Harwich, Essex, IP9 1QJ
Our visit
Graham and I visited Shotley about 2 weeks ago, seeking, but not finding, the newly opened stretch of the King Charles III walk between Cattawade and Shotley Gate. However, we found Shotley Marina and were very pleased that we did! It is a small, very well appointed marina sitting directly opposite the Port of Felixstowe on the Harwich Haven estuary where the Rivers Orwell and Stour meet. The straight line (as the crow flies) distance between them is a mere 1.87 miles (1.6 nautical miles) so you get great views of the container ships being unloaded by the cranes. There is also a great view of historic Harwich, which is closer, 0.75 miles in 7 minutes, by ferry.
We decided to visit again today with Rik and 11-year old Patrick and they enjoyed it as much as we did. We did a short walk from the marina along the Suffolk Coastal Path, watching the cranes unloading the containers at Felixstowe. The short, very efficient ferry service to Harwich, (CO12 3HH), delivered us to the historic Halfpenny Pier. Harwich has a long and very interesting history and on the pier is a small museum dedicated to the Mayflower, the ship that delivered the Pilgrim Fathers to America in 1620. It was registered in Harwich and captained by Christopher Jones who was born in nearby Kings Head Street and whose house is also open as a museum.
After lunch in Deck 1853 on the pier, we were back on the ferry. We would have loved to stay longer but we were on a timetable! But we will be back, next time taking the ferry to Felixstowe via Harwich and visiting Landguard Fort, the historic coastal fortress on the Landguard Peninsula, famous for guarding the navigable channel of Harwich Haven and repelling an attack by 1,500 Dutch marines, recorded as the last opposed seaborne invasion of England!
Good to know
Shotley Marina has lots of parking. If you use the excellent Shipwreck pub owned by the marina, you can have free parking for 3 hours. It is well worth a visit as it offers good food or you can simply have a drink or ice cream. The toilet facilities are excellent.
Getting around
The ground is flat and even. However, people with mobility issues are advised to contact the Marina in advance regarding the use of the footbridge over the lock on to the coastal path as it is narrow and there are steps both on entering and exiting the bridge. The same applies to the regular ferry to Harwich and Felixstowe which is accessed by a pontoon .
Photos from our visit
