Mersea Island

Britain’s most easterly inhabited island and a land unto itself

There’s a distinct sense of adventure about a trip to Mersea Island. Approached by a causeway from the mainland, cut off at high spring tide, and just eight miles square, it’s a place you have to plan to get to. It’s also a place with two quite different faces. Most visitors head straight for West Mersea, firmly oyster territory and the island’s undisputed capital, with its shops, guesthouses and restaurants. Pleasures here are simple: relaxing on the beach, crabbing from the jetties, watching the activity at the boat-repair yards, taking in the dramatic, wide skies and estuary views, and, of course, feasting on fresh native oysters.

Sailing is a huge part of island life and the waters here are brimming with boats of every shape and size as well as the colourful sails of windsurfers and kitesurfers. With its calm, shallow waters, it’s a great place to try out a watersport at first hand or come along for the annual Town Regatta (August), which has been running for over 170 years. Aside from the sailing classes, the regatta includes a number of novelty races as well as a ‘Walk the Greasy Pole’ competition, and is great fun for families. In sharp contrast, diminutive East Mersea, with its church, pub and village store, is not much more than a hamlet. It is however the gateway to many of the island’s campsites not to mention Cudmore Grove Country Park. Here you can blow away the cobwebs with a walk along the seawall, while keeping an eye out for species of migrating birds, or enjoy a ball game or picnic on the grassland overlooking the sea. The park also has a small beach or you can take in the watery views by hopping on the little foot ferry that wends its way to Brightlingsea and Point Clear.

For further information about this wonderful Island click here.