Harwich is a town in the English county of Essex. Situated on the coast in the Tendring district, it is near Felixstowe, Ipswich, Colchester and Clacton on Sea, and it is the most northern seaside town within Essex. Due to its position on the estuaries of the River Stour and River Orwell, together with its benefit to seafarers as being the only safe anchorage between the Thames and the Humber, the town had major civil and military maritime importance for a long time. In 1657, the town emerged as a naval base and was highly fortified with the construction of the Harwich Redoubt, Beacon Hill Battery, and Bath Side Battery. In accordance with the 2011 Census, the town has a population of around 17684. Though it is a town of a relatively small size, Harwich has a high standing for its architectural heritage. The town continues to be structured using the standard street plan incorporating principal thoroughfares joined by a range of small alleys, which indicates the town's medieval origins. Most of the existing medieval structures are private homes, although there is a range of public buildings of a historical nature. This includes the parish church of St. Nicholas, built in 1821 in a Gothic style, which contains numerous of the original home furnishings and an organ. Just one structure is Grade I listed, which is the Guildhall of 1769. A striking structure is the Pier Hotel of 1860, renamed the Great Eastern Hotel of 1864, which is a stunning demonstration of the town's changing role after the arrival of the railway line in Colchester, drawing in increasing quantities of visitors. For all your house upgrades, make sure to make use of reliable specialists in Harwich to make certain of quality.