Local Area Information
Mersea Island is famous for its fish restaurants including The Company Shed, West Mersea which is regularly featured in national newspapers as being one of the top seafood eating choices in the UK. Also on the island are Mehalahs in East Mersea plus The Oyster Bar and Restaurant in West Mersea.
The island is a hidden gem as little has changed over the years making it a peaceful location for a holiday in local cottages.
Mersea is a haven for birdwatching and walking. Sailing, windsurfing, paddle-boarding are all popular.
If wanting to travel off the island by car within a short time you can be in Constable country - Flatford Mill and Dedham. A little further and you can be in Manningtree, Mistley, Wivenhoe, Maldon or Harwich all super waterside locations. Within an hours drive you will be in Suffolk allowing a visit to places such as Snape Maltings, Aldeburgh or Southwold.
Colchester is about 25 minutes away with a great shopping area. Also a country club is about 20 minutes drive with swimming pool.
Holiday lettings which provide self-catering holidays and hotels are in short supply on Mersea Island and places get booked for school holidays and special weekends very early so to make sure you get the dates you want make contact early with the owner. When booking direct with the owner there will be no added booking fees. If booking with Holiday Lettings or Trip Advisor you will be charged a booking fee on top of the rental rate quoted.
The island is reached by a causeway (the strood) which gets covered in seawater occasionally for half an hour. Check the tide timetables before you leave home.
To dine out on Mersea Island here are some choices - all within walking distance of Mersea Island Cottage apart from Mehalahs.
The Company Shed, West Mersea - www.thecompanyshed.co
The oysters from West Mersea are now on restaurant menus in London as well as available for lunch in 'The Shed'. Richard Haward has been farming oysters from Mersea for many years and his restaurant is famous all over the UK for serving mussels, oysters, clams, crab, lobster, garlic prawns, scallops and much more. Remember that you cannot book this restaurant so make sure that you get there by midday to put your name on the board for a table. Only open for lunch
The Art Cafe, West Mersea
A new addition to the Mersea dining scene is the lovely cafe run by the artist James Weaver. Fabulous breakfasts, lunches and teas are served every day. Not open after 5pm.
West Mersea Oyster Bar and Restaurant, West Mersea
On the waterfront, this restaurant has tables outside as well as a busy restaurant. This might be for you if you fancy fresh fish and chips instead of mussels and oysters. Open some evenings and bookable.
Mersea Barns
A short drive across Mersea Island to the east. Great food and a nice change if you fancy some local meat produce. Also serving breakfast. Open for lunch but you can book.
The Coast Inn
A lovely buzzy atmosphere for dinner on West Mersea's Coast Road.
The Dukes
Super seafood on the waterside along Coast Rd.