England's secret places - Mersea island

Mersea Island is listed in the earliest surviving public record, the 11th-century Domesday Book, in which it is described as 'the home of 100 souls'.

Mersea Island - Early Inhabitants

The earliest group to leave any trace of their time on Mersea were the Celts who arrived circa 400 BC. Then the Romans invaded Britain in 43 AD and established themselves on Mersea and they ruled for 400 years. The Vikings raided the area in the 9th-century. Today people still come to this tiny island, but not as conquerers; they come to enjoy its tranquility and its beaches. Not to mention all the other things it has to offer.

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Mersea Island - Crossing the Strood

Mersea Island is just off the east coast of the county of Essex. The nearest big town is Colchester, 9 miles away. The island is tiny, an area of around seven square miles. Its town is West Mersea, a quiet resort with old fishing cottages and a beach made up of shingles and sand and there is a village called East Mersea. To enjoy what the island has to offer you must first cross the Strood.

The Strood is the only Anglo-Saxon causeway in England. It is the only road connecting Mersea Island to the mainland. It crosses the marshes and the Strood Channel between the coast of Essex in the south east of England. It is very ancient, having been constructed by the Saxons in the 7th-century and is sometimes covered with water during high tides.

Mersea Island - the Company Shed

Londoners come to Mersea Island not only for a relaxing day out in the sun and sand but also to taste the delights of the Company Shed, This is a smallish black, wooden-slatted shack on the beach where you can enjoy a fantastic range of seafood. Originally the shed was used as an Oyster processing base, but today it is a simple cafe. You can’t book and you must bring your own bread and wine. They do provide knives and forks and kitchen paper for napkins. You can also buy the freshest of seafood to take home. It is very popular and there’s usually a bit of a wait to get served, but the natives are friendly and it is worth every minute of waiting.

Mersea Island - The Vineyard

On a warm sunny day it is (almost) possible to imagine yourself in Tuscany. Although it covers only ten acres they produce an impressive range of wines, including a crisp white named Mehalah. If you are wondering about the name, Mehalah was the title of a bestselling romantic novel written in the 1870’s by the then rector of the local church, a man named Sabine Baring-Gould, who also wrote the famous hymn Onward, Christian Soldiers.

Mersea Island - Other Things to Do

There are various nature reserves dotted around the island, and lots of wading birds. There also are some lovely walks and St Peter and Paul church (built in 1046) is worth a visit for the chance to glimpse a bit of the Roman floor.

Mersea Island - How to Get There

Trains for Colchester leave London Liverpool Street approximately every 10-30 minutes and take about 50 minutes. You will need to take a cab ride onwards to Mersea Island.

By car, from London take the A12. It's about a two-hour journey.