1838 - The Old Workhouse in Cow Lane

The Corporation built the workhouse on waste ground at Cow Lane in 1669. However, with the introduction of a new Poor Law system in 1834, the parishes of north east Essex formed a 'union' and shared a common workhouse and infirmary at Tendring. These were administered by a Board of Guardians elected by adult male ratepayers.

Harwich elected three guardians, whose aim was to cut the cost of poor relief by insisting that all paupers had to enter the workhouse. Conditions were deliberatley made so bad that it was the last place anyone would wish to enter.

In 1836, the old workhouse in Cow Lane was sold off to the Cobbolds family for conversion into a brewery, but the lack of an adequate water supply caused them to move to Ipswich in 1871. The vicarage was then built on the site and this building is a private residence today.