In Essex, certain streets offer homes priced as low as £120,000, providing a much more affordable alternative to the county’s average house price of £411,000. Just because the homes are cheap, though, it does not mean you have to skimp out on that “posh” look.
One such street has some very cheap homes – but has buildings so gorgeous that it has been likened to those in central London. The Quay in Harwich has a stunning apartment building, that not only looks exceedingly fancy – but is pretty cheap to live in, too.
Within A Grade 2 listed building once known as the Great Eastern Hotel are some gorgeous flats, with a spectacular entrance foyer. The building on the Quay is close to the sea, with amazing views, pubs and restaurants all within walking distance.
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Living in this building means you get private parking and even a communal garden. Located in old Harwich along the Quayside, you can buy a flat here for as little as £122,000 – with gorgeous sea views included!
The Essex town of Harwich is hugely overlooked as a visitor attraction, with seaside or riverside lovers heading to the more popular spots such as Southend or Frinton. It has some of the county’s cheapest homes in general, a beach and a great history, and is therefore an underrated place to live or take a day trip to.
Besides its cheap homes, there is plenty to love about this fun town. Dovercourt Bay in Harwich is a popular spot with its own caravan park, this beach just along the coast is virtually unknown, and is often called a hidden gem.
Backed by dunes and marshes, this is a quiet and stunning spot to relax and take in the views across the sea towards the docks up the coast. The beach has great views which have been compared to those seen in the canary islands.
Harwich is also home to some artefacts that cannot be seen in other areas in the country. Constructed in 1853, Ha’Penny Pier was a popular departure point for paddle steamers until the First World War.
The name of the pier originates from the ½d (half an old penny) toll that was charged. Today, it attracts thousands of visitors to Harwich each year, as it is one of the only surviving functional wooden piers.