A walkable island on Essex’s coast — rich in nature, seafood, and open horizons.
Mersea Island is a rare kind of walking destination — one you can circle completely, with the sea always in sight. Connected to the mainland by the tidal Strood causeway, Mersea feels both close and remote: easy to reach, but shaped by the tides and full of wide skies and sea air.
Most walks follow the seawall paths that loop around the island’s edge. The route passes saltmarsh, mudflats, and oyster beds, with views across the Blackwater Estuary and creeks filled with birdlife. Inland, small lanes link quiet cottages and waterside pubs.
The island is best known for oysters, and walking here pairs naturally with seafood, sunshine, and stillness. Start in West Mersea, head out to Cudmore Grove Country Park, and follow the coast at your own pace.
Seaside cottages, small hotels, and peaceful bases near the shore.
Walks in and around Mersea Island.
