Mersea Island is the most Easterly inhabited island in the British Isles, situated off the Essex coast, 12 miles south of Colchester. Here the rivers Colne and Blackwater meet and flow into the North Sea. The island is connected to the mainland via a causeway (know locally as the 'Strood') and you'll need to check the tide table to ensure you don't get stranded; during very high tides the water covers the road.

While West Mersea is fairly developed, East Mersea is a tranquil haven for coastal and countryside walks. Along the East Mersea coast you can look out and see St Peter's on the Wall, one of the oldest churches in England. In the winter time, Brent geese fly across wide East Anglian skies and land to feed on the mud flats. In summer, sand martins can be spotted nesting on the cliffs and swallows swoop above.

War time fortifications known as 'pill boxes' survive along the coast; children can clamber inside to explore the one at Cudmore Grove Country park. In summer the beaches are clean, quiet and unspoilt with the sea warm enough for a dip.

East Mersea is a wonderful country get away. However should you crave seafood, shops and pubs, you'll need to make the 10 minute car trip across the island to the town at West Mersea.

The nearest station is at Colchester and there are a few connecting buses each day to the island. Driving onto the island, take the left fork signposted 'East Mersea.' Follow the winding road for 10 minutes along East Road and you will end up at a very small car park with houses on the left and a path ahead. Follow the path down to the sea and turn right along the coast.
Nearby Bromans Farm B&B offers clean, quality country style rooms at reasonable rates. bromansfarm.co.uk
Google map: tinyurl.com/37vgqfg

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Mersea Island is reached by an ancient causeway (reputedly, Roman soldiers drowned here and their shrieks can be heard during a gale, so it's said) The road still floods a few times a month and cuts the island off from the mainland, so check the tides. There are two parts to the island-East and West Mersea. The whole place is no more than a few miles wide so head east for a small sandy beach and bracing walk along the sea wall where elephant and hippopotamus bones were discovered. Or go west into the village where the beach is larger, fringed with beach huts, and you will find the highly-rated Company Shed, a black weatherboarded place where you bring your own bread and wine to enjoy the freshest, prized oysters. Apparently, Rick Stein is a fan. It's Essex...but there's not a Cortina or a stilletto in sight.

Mersea Island, Essex
Google map: tinyurl.com/34boqmo

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