Harwich is a working port town and functions year-round, but the old town museums, the Redoubt, and Ha'penny Pier visitor centre operate on reduced hours or close entirely between October and April. The Harwich Society's free walking tours run on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons from May to September.
Summer (June to August) is the obvious choice for combining the town with Dovercourt beach. The weather on the East Anglian coast tends to be drier than the west of England, though sea breezes keep temperatures moderate — rarely as warm as it looks on a map.
The Harwich Festival takes place in May and brings music, theatre, and arts events to the town.