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Harwich and Dovercourt is a healthy place to live, with a dry, sunny climate. The facilities for recreation are excellent.

ANGLING -

Sea angling can be enjoyed from the Halfpenny Pier, the beach, promenade, or of course by boat. Good sport can also be obtained in the fresh water lagoons behind the sea wall.

BOWLS -

Harwich and Dovercourt Bowling Club has a fine green in an attractive position just off the promenade. There is also a well-supported indoor bowls league in the town and also an excellent indoor bowls centre on the outskirts of the town.

BOXING -

Harwich Amateur Boxing Club operates from premises to the rear of the Magistrate’s Courts, Dovercourt. Opportunities exist for fit and healthy people, 10 years and upwards to learn the art of boxing under the guidance of fully qualified ABA coaches.

CRICKET -

Harwich and Dovercourt Cricket Club has its own pavilion on the opposite side of Low Road Recreation Ground. It runs three senior sides and has introduced a youth section.

FITNESS CENTRE -

at Low Road Swimming Pool.

FOOTBALL -

Harwich and Parkeston FC - “The Shrimpers” - play in the Premier Division of the Ridgeons Eastern Counties League. Their floodlit ground can be found on the Main Road opposite Fiveways supermarket. Harwich and Parkeston Youth FC is an enthusiastic club, catering for 7 - 18 year-olds, and connects closely with the senior club. There are also local leagues for the town and surrounding villages.

GOLF -

An excellent and popular nine-hole golf course is situated to the west of Parkeston Road, approaching Harwich International Port.

HOCKEY -

The town has both mens’ and ladies’ hockey clubs which play on the first class all-weather floodlit pitch adjacent to the swimming pool.

MOTORCYCLING -

Harwich MCC cater for all forms of motorcycling, road touring and off road sport. Club nights Tuesday at the Park Pavilion.

RUGBY -

Harwich and Dovercourt Rugby Club runs a number of teams from its superb modern headquarters at Low Road. The club provides coaching for youngsters keen to learn.

SAILING -

The waters around Harwich are a mecca for yachtsmen and dinghy sailors. Harwich Town Sailing Club in Outpart Eastward, regularly hosts regional and national championships, and occasionally holds European Championships. Harwich and Dovercourt Sailing Club, at Gas House Creek, caters for larger sailing boats. Many windsurfers find the shallow water near the Dovercourt Lights ideal for their sport and they provide a spectacular sight.

SWIMMING -

There is a fine indoor swimming pool also situated along Low Road. There are special sessions for senior citizens, the disabled, learners and early risers. An active swimming club based at the pool organises events and competes regionally. Dovercourt Beach has been awarded Blue Flag status.

TENNIS -

Dovercourt Tennis Club operates a thriving club and is based at the tennis courts, just off Marine Parade. These courts are also available for public hire during the summer season.

OTHER FACILITIES -

Harwich Sports Centre is in the grounds of the Harwich School. It is available to the public every evening and at weekends. It has facilities for numerous sports, including eight tennis courts and two squash courts. The 1912 Centre is the home base for Harwich Runners, who have an enviable record in marathons, half-marathons and fun runs. Runners meet every Tuesday evening.

The floodlit all-weather pit at Low Road can be used for other sports as well as hockey. It can be booked from the swimming pool.

The Harwich Community Association maintains the Park Pavilion by Cliff Park, a large hall with dance floor, bar and stage, which is the scene of shows, exhibitions, concerts and sporting activities for young and old alike, throughout the year.

For the day-tripper, Dovercourt seafront provides a putting green, croquet lawn, crazy golf, petanque terrain, tennis courts, skating rink, a boating lake and model yacht pond, an amusement arcade and cafeteria. Many visitors spend their holidays at one of the two caravan sites off Low Road -Greenacres and Dovercourt Haven. They are especially popular with weekenders from London. Dovercourt Haven is the larger of the two and has its own swimming pool, dance hall, shops and an area for touring caravans.