Escape to an island for the day that offers stretches of golden sand shores, lined with colourful beach huts, seafood restaurants, a charming harbour and a delightful town to explore
The UK island is characterised by its collection of pastel colored beach huts(Image: Getty Images)
The UK is brimming with coastal vistas, but the beaches nestled on an island just a few hours from London are perhaps some of the most beautiful.
Just off the coast of Essex, around nine miles southeast of Colchester and two hours from London, is the idyllic Mersea Island. The tidal island is renowned for its colourful beach huts, world-famous oysters, and its rich maritime heritage, offering a unique day out with a laid-back seaside charm.
It’s the UK’s most easterly inhabited island, with a population of around 7,000 residents spread across two areas: West Mersea and East Mersea. The island is also steeped in history, spanning more than a millennium, with its parish church, St Peter and St Paul, believed to date from the 7th century, while numerous Roman artefacts have been discovered in the vicinity.
On the West of the island is where you’ll find its small fishing town, the most populated area of the island. While the east offers stretches of rural landscapes and is home to the island’s only country park, Cudmore Grove.
But the West is what draws visitors in, offering stretches of golden sand, stone and shell shores, lined with traditional pastel-coloured beach huts, a standout feature of this coast. It’s a haven for those looking to spend time on the beach against the picture-postcard backdrop, or to soak up the views during coastal walks along West Mersea beach.
While the island might not be blessed with the azure waters of Scotland or Cornwall, the shallow, typically calm waters are just as enticing and ideal for those looking to take part in fun water activities, like kayaking or paddleboarding. Yet there’s more to the waters that surround the island.
At least once a month, the island gets completely cut off from the mainland due to high tide. While it’s an island in its own right, there’s a road called ‘The Strood’ that connects Mersea to the mainland, but as the water completely submerges the road, the island is left to its own devices.
Thankfully, residents of the island aren’t cut off for long; it typically lasts only about an hour and a half. So, for residents and visitors, it’s vital to check the tide times to avoid brief periods of isolation.
But planning a trip is well worth it, with the addition of its quaint harbour to explore, which is dotted with fishing and sailing boats. This is the ideal spot where children can enjoy crabbing off the jetty and for adults to savour those acclaimed oysters.
Some of its most notable places to enjoy the island’s selection of seafood are at The Company Shed, The Coast Inn and Victory at Mersea. And of course, a visit to the beach wouldn’t be complete without a classic dish of fish and chips, which is available from a range of eateries on the island.
In the town, there are shops to wander around, along with tearooms, bakeries and coffee houses for a respite from the British weather. While the island is small, there’s a selection of pubs on the West Mersea for that refreshing pint by the coast and picturesque views out to the harbour.
It’s a little slice of paradise for those looking for a laid-back escape, or a day out at the beach on one of England’s islands. It even has its own vineyard and brewery to really savour the flavours of Essex.
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