About Mersea Island

Located around eight miles from Colchester in Essex, Mersea Island is situated between the estuaries of the Colne and Blackwater rivers. This unique place is the most easternly inhabited island in the British Isles and despite it's size boasts a population of around seven thousand people.

 

Mersea Island is seperated into West Mersea and East Mersea, with both areas having their own unique attributes. West being the main area with the largest population and East the more rural.

 

 

Mersea is renown for being a popular spot for tourists throughout the year, with people coming far and wide to visit the unique area. Excellent bathing-quality water, free car parking in many areas, holidays parks and great facilities makes Mersea the ideal place to visit on the East Coast.

 

Being such a unique venue also attracts many organisers to hold events on the island, ranging from car rallies to music festivals, food festivals to beach parties.

These events contribute to the large number of tourists that flock to Mersea Island throughout the year; seeing most of them in the summer to enjoy the beaches and good weather.

 

If you're thinking about coming to Mersea, don't forget to book your place to stay early, and look into the things to do before setting off. It's well worth planning your holiday here and seeing everything you can.

 

 

The beaches at Mersea are largely sandy, lightly-stoned spans with enough room to cope with thousands of visitors. The shoreline has sand banks and shallow waters which make them excellent territory for paddling, swimming and windsurfing.

 

The Mersea beach is a clean and hygienic beach with public toilets, taps, cafés, restaurants on Victoria Esplanade (the main beach area for Mersea).

 

You'll also be able to find smaller, less busy beaches at Cudmore Grove Country Park and the surrounding area in East Mersea.

 

View our Vital Information before visiting Mersea

 

 

The Mersea Island community, although increasing in numbers, still retains its village atmosphere and friendly outlook that breathes life into its inhabitants and the local economy.

 

The community is primarily brought together by communal events that the inhabitants support and take part in. At the heart of the village is the MICA (Mersea Island Community Association) centre and is where a host of events are staged.

These can range from the Christmas Pantomime to sports, dance classes, keep fit, sales and a well stocked licensed bar. Other well supported events are the Mersea Island Regatta, various fetes and coach outings to see how the other half lives.

 

Mersea Island has all the conveniences of a small town, making it possible to obtain almost anything you may require. To list but a few; Doctors, Dentist, Chemist, Banks, Butcher, Baker, Garage, Hairdressers, Florists, Museum, Library, Primary/Junior School, DIY Shop, Mini Supermarket, Chinese Takeaway, Indian Takeaway, Fish & Chip Shop, wet fish shops as well as plenty of clubs; British Legion, bowling clubs and caravan parks.

 

Other important conveniences on Mersea are the Boat Yards, Sail makers and of course not forgetting the oysters from the Seafood Bar.

 

 

Mersea Island boasts a creative and affluent local economy, with many bright ideas and people coming from the island.

 

Many local businesses centre around the farming and fishing industries which have been established on Mersea since it's birth. For more information about Mersea's history, click here.

 

Since the Broadband4Mersea campaign fought to introduce broadband onto the island in 2003, many local computer-related businesses have flourished. Website developers, graphic designers and electronic service providers included.

There is also a strong presence in the building and associated trades; for example builders, plumbers, carpenters, plasterers, electricians and decorators. An important business of the island is the "seeding", nuturing and harvesting of the local oyster beds. Mersea Island oysters travel well and are appreciated worldwide.

 

To officially open the oyster season the mayor of Colchester sails into the Mersea Waters to sample the first of the seasons oysters.

 

Mersea produce also includes Mersea Wine, from the island's own vineyard.

 

A very important business on the island is the tourism we attract. With six caravan parks on the island, some of which leave room and provision for campers and touring caravans, the influx of visitors and holidaymakers bring a boost to Mersea's local economy.

 

 

The most populated part of the island is West Mersea, which acts as the central hub of the island. This area attracts the most tourism and features the majority of local businesses.

 

At this side of the island you'll find the Yacht Club, West Mersea Parish Church (St. Peter & St. Paul's), football ground, the MICA Centre, the Mersea Island Museum and Library along with the island's biggest supermarket, the Co-op. Some of the most notable things for West Mersea is the beach with it's high-quality water rating, holiday parks and marina.

 

 

The eastern side of Mersea is known for being rural farming-land and having the island's only country park, Cudmore Grove. However East Mersea is increasingly breaking the traditional stereotype and nowadays features restaurants, a youth camp, holiday parks, a public house and is the venue for most of the island's larger events.

 

In addition to the above, East Mersea is the home of the Mersea Vineyard, shops, the East Mersea Parish Church, pick-your-own strawberries and some outstanding secluded beaches (great for cloud gazing with a picnic).