ABOUT HARWICH VILLAGE HOMES ESTATE AND LETTING AGENTS
Harwich Village Homes first opened in 2003 offering friendly estate agency advice covering Dovercourt, Harwich and surrounding villages. Most of us either live locally or have local connections. We love it here in Dovercourt with the blue flag beaches and amazing history of Old Harwich, yet still only one and a half hours away from London Liverpool Street station by train.
Operating from our centrally located office in Dovercourt - Tower House, we have evolved into the towns’ premier independent agent, priding ourselves on our honest sound professional approach. The experienced team are now able to offer a combination of over 200 years’ industry knowledge and are happy to help provide advice on all aspects of residential sales and lettings.
We offer a contemporary hardworking approach to property marketing, together with a personal service which is tailored to our client’s individual needs.
ABOUT DOVERCOURT
Dovercourt first appeared in the Doomsday book in 1086. Twinned with Harwich it has a delightful, friendly ambiance and enjoys its own blue flag beach.
The seafront at Dovercourt plays a big part in the lives of its residents and visitors alike. The promenade offers a delightful walk with family and/or the dog, passing the distinctive two cast iron lighthouses, leading Lights, built by Trinity House, on a clear day you can see right across to the Naze Tower at Walton.
In the world of leisure and entertainment, Dovercourt had a Warners holiday camp which was used to film the 1980’s BBC sitcom ‘Hi-de-Hi’, in fact many long term local residents can recall stories of meeting the cast members during filming! The town centre enjoys a mix of local and national stores and cafes. Recently the addition of a Wetherspoon’s chain pub and hotel (The Bottle Kiln) adds to the social draw of the area for those wishing for a swift glass or three!.
Dovercourt is also served by a regular train service that connects to London Liverpool Street and the capital can be reached in 90 minutes.
ABOUT LITTLE OAKLEY
The village of Little Oakley is situated between Dovercourt and Thorpe Le Soken.
A focal point of the village is the local pub “Ye Olde Cherry Tree” where the Landlord has a welcome for locals and newcomers alike. There is also a well run football club for young “Acorns” as well as for adults.
Many properties in Little Oakley benefit from rural views, while some enjoy views towards Hamford Waters.
ABOUT GREAT OAKLEY
The village of Great Oakley is situated between Little Oakley and Thorpe Le Soken.
In the heart of this village is “The Maybush” that was saved and re-opened as a co-operative pub by the local community.
Great Oakley is also well known for its beautiful and well attended Norman Church.
ABOUT RAMSEY
As you approach Dovercourt by road, you are met with the sight of the iconic, Grade II listed Windmill, which overlooks the picturesque village of Ramsey. People travel to the village to use the traditional butcher, fresh fish stall and of course the local pub/restaurant “ The Castle Inn”.
Ramsey has a well attended 12th century Church situated at the top of Church Hill. There is also a War Memorial Hall which is a centre for many local clubs and activities.
ABOUT OLD HARWICH
“Of significant historical interest, delightful period architecture and a variety of public houses and eateries”. Just a flavour of what to expect from this quaint medieval town, attached to Dovercourt, which received its first charter in 1238.
The well renowned preservation group ‘The Harwich Society’ play a leading role in preserving much of the significant historic interest of the town. The distinctive twin Lighthouses, Lifeboat Museum and The Redoubt Fort, are just a few interesting places to spend an afternoon. If history is your bag you will love it here because there is so much more to see and do. For more information visit
A stroll along the quay front leads to the Ha’penny pier with its delightful café and far reaching views to Felixstowe container port (one of Europes’ busiest). Whilst moored alongside the pier is the ‘The boat that rocks’ a floating museum depicting the history of pirate radio!
Scattered around the town are a number of traditional public houses, many of which serve food, whilst finer fayre is available at The Pier Hotel, part of Milsom’s group, of Dedham Vale fame. If a more rustic approach to eating is preferred then a must visit is to the ‘Pieseas’ local chippie and highly recommended is the fishcake.
ABOUT PARKESTON (THE GATEWAY TO THE CONTINENT)
The village of ‘Parkeston’ evolved when the GER ( Great Eastern Railway) reclaimed ‘ Ray Island’ for a railway depot for import/export trade to the Continent.
Parkeston Village has local shops, including a good butcher and a restaurant.
Most of the houses in the village were built for railway workers
ABOUT WIX
Wix is a lovely village close to both Little & Great Oakley and is situated on a crossroads which formed the main road between Colchester & Harwich, although the A120 now bypasses the village.
The crossroads still remain at the centre of Wix where you can find the local hostelry “The Waggon at Wix”.
The village has a primary school, local shop/post office, two churches and a Village Hall which is used for many activities and clubs.
ABOUT WRABNESS
This rural idyll is known for its strong sense of community with various local clubs & activities. Beautiful walks with stunning views can be found in the superb nature reserve encompassing Stour woods & the foreshore which is accessible by the general public & is dog friendly.
With rail links to London & Norwich, Wrabness also benefits from the patronage of Grayson Perry, the well known turner prize winning artist who has co-designed ‘ A House for Essex’ an iconoclastic highly decorated structure overlooking the wide Stour estuary.