West Mersea Holiday Park
The Sandbank
The onsite bar and restaurant is open seven days a week and offers breakfast, lunch and dinner. Recently refurbished you decide whether to sit outside on the verandah or inside where there is a pool table and flat screen TVs.
The Arcade
Take your children to the arcades in the evening where they can enjoy the traditional 2p and claw machines. Many of us have our own fond childhood memories of arcades and holiday parks so why not make new memories with your own children.
Play park and field
Next to The Sandbank is a large green where you can play field games and a contained play park where children can play safely. Join in with the field games or sit back and relax on The Sandbank verandah whilst you enjoy watching your children play games with their new holiday park friends.
Seaview cafe and shop
At the entrance to West Mersea Holiday Park there is a small holiday shop where you can get important beach holiday supplies, such as buckets and spades! There is also a cafe where you can grab a bite to eat before heading back to the beach or your holiday home.
Mersea Island
Mersea Island is the UK’s most Easterly inhabited island, covering about seven square miles and in the estuaries of the Blackwater and Colne rivers. It is divided into West Mersea and East Mersea. West Mersea is a fishing village with a long sandy beach and local shops and restaurants. East Mersea provides a more natural and untouched environment, there are beaches here, too, and also opportunities for long rural walks in the countryside.
Mersea Oysters
Perhaps what Mersea is most known for are the world famous Mersea Oysters. Originally harvested in Roman times and now shipped to Michelin star restaurants, Harrods Department Store and royal families across the globe. There are two types, the Colchester Rock Oyster and the Colchester Native Oyster. If you are a fan of seafood be sure to try these at one of the restaurants on the island.
Special Events
Throughout the Summer months there are several annual events that locals and visitors to the island can get involved in. Here are some of these popular events.
The West Mersea Town Regatta being the oldest of these events. Starting in 1838 the Regatta celebrations kick off with the ‘Round the Island Race’ followed by water sport activities, including the notorious ‘Walking the Greasy Pole’. There are stalls and a funfair to add to the entertainment. The weekend culminates with a fantastic firework display.
The West Mersea Food and Drink Festival is a fantastic opportunity to see people from the local food and drink industry showcase their delicious produce. Perhaps you will get a chance to try some of the food and drink on offer and find a new favourite delicacy.
The Secret Island Festival takes place on one of the Island’s farms overlooking the Estuary. It hosts 50 artists from Electronic music. A more intimate event than many other summer festivals with just 5000 tickets available, allowing you to really soak up the atmosphere from one of the five stages.
The Tide
Being an island our only connection to the mainland is the main road, called the Strood. Surrounded by water, we are sometimes cut off from the mainland when the tide rises and covers the Strood. This only happens about once a month for a week but is important to factor into your holiday plans. Tide times can be checked online. The general guidance is if the tide is higher than 4.9 you want to avoid the Strood one hour and a half before or after high tide. Never drive through the high tide as the salt water is really bad for your car.