Parkeston

With its rich railway and maritime heritage, proximity to Harwich’s historic attractions, and access to scenic coastal walks, Parkeston is more than a port, it is a destination for history lovers, walkers, and anyone seeking a unique slice of Essex life.

Parkeston was originally part of Ray Island, a tidal marshland known as Le Rey during the Saxon period. I n the 1880s, the Great Eastern Railway Company transformed this reclaimed land into a major railway depot and port, naming it Parkeston Quay after Charles H. Parkes, the company chairman.  The village was purpose-built for railway workers, with streets named after paddle steamers and company figures—such as Tyler Street and Hamilton Street.

Parkeston Quay became a hub for passenger ferries to the Hook of Holland and later Denmark, and during both World Wars, it served as an important naval base.  Today, the quay is known as Harwich International Port, a busy ferry and cruise terminal facing the UK’s largest container port at Felixstowe.

Things to See and Do:
Harwich International Port – Watch ferries and cruise ships arrive and depart, and learn about the area’s maritime heritage.
St. Paul’s Church – A Grade II listed building with striking red brick architecture and stained glass windows.
Parkeston War Memorial – Honouring local soldiers who served in both World Wars.

Parkeston offers access to scenic walks and long-distance trails:
Harwich & Dovercourt Circular Walk – A 10-mile route starting at Harwich High Lighthouse, passing historic sites and joining Parkeston via “The Hangings,” an old railway path.

Harwich, Dovercourt, Great Oakley & Wrabness Circular – A 20.7-mile loop for experienced walkers, taking in estuary views and countryside paths.

Essex Way – Parkeston lies near the end of this 81-mile trail from Epping to Harwich, offering beautiful estuary scenery.

Dovercourt Lighthouse Loops – Short, easy walks (2–5 km) with coastal views, ideal for families and casual walkers.

For detailed maps and footpath information, visit the Essex PRoW Interactive Map.