1912 CENTRE

The 1912 Centre was as its name suggests built in 1912 as the Town Fire Station. It is ideally suited for visiting groups with accommodation ranged around the old engine garage, which now forms the central dining and recreational area. 

It also includes an activity area which is specifically resourced with outdoor training material for nature studies and craft activities with a 'scouting theme' - ideal for Pack Holidays or as a base for visiting scout groups.

The upper floor has access to four cabin style sleeping areas, two with two berths and two with six berths. Additional sleeping accommodation is available on the ground floor, comprising one six bed, and one four bed room with ensuite facilities.  All cabins have bunk beds.  The Centre accommodates up to twenty six people, and the occupying group has sole use of the Centre.

The centrally heated building has a fully equiped kitchen, showers, a drying room and ground floor facilities for the disabled.  Visiting groups can bring their own sleeping bags, or for a small charge can hire duvets from the Centre.
The Centre is compact and easily managed, and groups will be expected to undertake certain domestic duties during their stay, and be responsible for leaving the Centre in a clean and tidy condition.

SITUATION:

The 1912 Centre is situated within a conservation area of the old part of Harwich, and is 50 metres from a sandy beach and promenade, within the Harbour area. The neighbourhood around the centre is a quiet, residential area full of historical buildings of interest.  The Town owes much of its charm to its medieval origins, the grid pattern on which the original 13th century town was built still survives. There are over 200 listed buildings within half square mile.

Harwich is built on a narrow spit of land between the sea and the junction of two rivers, the Stour and the Orwell.  The large natural harbour created by this confluence is one of the busiest in Europe and serves the ports of Ipswich and Felixstowe as well as Harwich. Harwich is perhaps best known as a ferry port, providing a link between Britain and the Continent, but also offers many varied attractions to visitors.Yachts, North Sea Ferries, ocean going container ships and some of the largest cruise ships in the world provide an ever changing maritime panorama.

PLACES OF INTEREST:

Harwich is at the eastern extreme of the Tendring Hundred Peninsula, and close to the Essex/Suffolk border which gives easy access to the Stour Valley and Dedham Vale, an area immortalized by the painter John Constable, Gainsborough's home in Sudbury, and Colchester with its historic castle along with many other attractions and leisure facilities.

Dovercourt is a small seaside resort adjacent to Harwich and has  many leisure facilities which can be easily accessed.

Near to the centre itself is the Ha'penny Pier; ideal for fishing, crabbing and excursions by the foot ferry during the summer months to nearby Suffolk - Felixstowe, Landguard Fort, Shotley and the old naval training school of HMS Ganges and museum. It is ideally placed for all things nautical, with access to local shops and restaurants.

The seaside resorts of Walton on the Naze, Frinton and Clacton on Sea are all close by with their many attractions. In particular, the Naze is famous for fossils, and has a wonderful visitor centre, a must see attraction of immense interest.

For visiting beaver, cubs and scout groups we are able to offer on request:

"Meet and Greet"

Signposting to the many activities which take place in and around the area, e.g. leisure facilities including tennis courts, indoor swimming pool, roller rink, boating lake and a sports centre.

Help with activity programming and nature trails.

Collection of shopping on request.