This is your last chance this year to visit a unique survivor from WWII, the Harwich RDF Tower. Built in 1941, probably the last WWII building constructed in Harwich, it houses the only known example of a Type 287 Radar array.
If you haven’t been along to see us, we are open 11am to 3pm. Entry is still free, but donations towards renovation are always welcome. Hope to see you there 🙂
We are now in the last month of our 2026 open day season, with two days left in October. We open on 11th and 25th October between 11am and 3pm on both days. We have been fairly busy this year with visitors from far and wide including The Netherlands, Germany and Brisbane, Australia.
M Woodward: Superb display
M Roberts: Lovely to explore
J Baker: Very interesting
These are just a few of the hundreds of comments we have received since opening the tower in 2021. Most visitors are surprised when they discover what is housed in this unassuming brick building. Our unique selling point on the top floor never fails to impress people. If you haven’t been to see us yet, we look forward to meeting you soon 🙂 Entry is still free but donations are always welcome.
This years open day season has flown by this year, we close at the end of October. This weekend, 12th and 13th September, the Radar Tower will be open between 11am and 3pm. Along with the other attractions in Harwich, we will be opening as part of the nation wide Heritage Weekend. We have greeted visitors from far and wide this year, including Spain and The Netherlands.
Del: awesome!!
Jemma: Childhood memories & great history
Ross: Thanks for letting us see history!!
These are just a few of the comments received from our visitors. If you haven’t visited us yet, we look forward to meeting you soon. As always, entry is free (as are all the attractions this weekend), but donations are still welcome towards maintenance. Hope to see you soon 🙂
We have already held 3 open days this season, and visitor numbers have been good. We had 54 on our first day, and many interesting questions.
Maia & Carl: Looks cool 🙂
Claire, Andy & Finlay: Brilliant artifact and so well presented
Luke, Isla & Ava: Fantastic, Very Interesting 🙂
We have a couple more open days in May, on the 17th and 31st, 11am to 3pm. If you haven’t come along yet, we look forward to seeing you soon. Even if military history isn’t your thing, this is a great piece of social history, seeing how people lived and worked during WWII.
We have now published our list of open days for 2026, starting on Sunday 26th April. We open at 11am and close at 3pm.
Admission is still free but donations are still welcome. Dogs are welcome too, however this is at the owners discretion due to steep stairs.
Unfortunately, due to the age and layout of the building, disabled access is limited to the ground floor, but this does include a 6 inch (150mm) step at the main entrance. If you haven’t visited us, we hope to see you there.
Our 2025 season is coming to an end soon, just three open days left this year. We are open today, Sunday 28th September, between 11am and 3pm. Entry is still free but donations are always welcome.
Andy: Great to finally be able to have a look inside.
Yvonne: Top floor was impressive!!
Jane: Much improved since our last visit.
We have two open days in October on the 12th and 26th, as always 11am to 3pm. We have had a great summer meeting new visitors and welcoming back several return visitors. If you have been this year, thank you. If you are planning to visit we look forward to meeting you 🙂
This year has been fairly successful, with many new visitors coming along to see us during our open days. We have five days left this season, including two days for the Heritage Weekend event. On Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th September we will be opening between 11am and 3pm to allow you to visit this unique building.
D & S Wilson: Very atmospheric
Grace: Very good, lot’s to see!
Holly: Fabulously fantastic!
Iris: Amazing. felt like i was in WW2
We would like to thank you if you have visited this year. If you are coming along we look forward to meeting you soon 🙂
Our 2025 season of open days is well underway and proving popular this year. We have had many interesting questions and an increasing interest from younger visitors.
P Harris: Very interesting
Cllr D Chable: Brilliant visit Great work!
Harwich Town Cryer: Oyez Oyez Oyez Excellent!
L Low: What a great find! So informative
Just a few of the comments received in our visitor’s book this year. It is always great to meet new visitors but if you’ve been before you are welcome to return any time. Our next open day is Sunday 8th June, 11am to 3pm. Entry is still free but donations are always welcome. Dogs welcome too, but there are two fairly steep staircases to gain access to the middle and top floor so dogs are allowed at the discretion of the owners. Hope to see you soon 🙂
The Radar tower has been entered in a national competition to identify the most unusual place for the reading of the 80th anniversary proclamation. We were joined by Harwich Mayor, Cllr Morrison, Harwich High Steward, Sue Daish and the Town Crier, Richard Bench. We open to the public on Sunday 11th May between 11am and 3pm so please come along to see the only Type 287 Radar Array in the world 🙂
We will be starting our 2025 season on Easter Weekend this year. We open at 11am on Sunday 20th April and will also be open on Monday 21st April until 3pm on both days.
Harwich RDF Tower is a unique survivor from WWII being the only one of 11 built to help protect the British Isles between April 1941 and December 1943.
Entry to the tower is still free, but donations are always welcome. Hope to see you there 🙂