 |
| HOME |
| The Beach |
| Leisure |
| Museum |
| Pubs |
| VISITORS |
| Where to Eat |
| Where To Stay |
| Events Diary |
| Contact Us |
|
VISITORS & LEISURE > WHERE TO GOTo find out what's happening in Mersea for the rest of the year Click on to our Events Page The following places are either on or within ten miles of Mersea Island |
| Basin Pleasure Boats 2 hour Sunset Cruises - Heybridge Basin to Beeleigh Weir - return l hour day trips - rowing boat hire 2 hour sunset cruise - Heybridge to Beeleigh Weir - return For more details call Mark on 07835 657462 or visit the Website - www.basinpleasureboats.co.uk |
| Brightlingsea/Point Clear & East Mersea Ferry The Ferry is operated by Brightlingsea Harbour Commissioners - opening is seasonal - it is licensed to carry a maximum of 12 passengers - also wheelchairs, dogs, bicycles and pushchairs. It has a landing ramp which provides access to the jetty and beaches. For more details contact:- Brightlingsea Harbour Office - 01206 302200 Mobile 07981 450169 Website - www.brightlingseaferry.co.uk For timetable - click here |
| Fingringhoe Wick Fingringhoe Wick nature reserve lies on the banks of the river Colne close to Colchester. It's 120 acres overlook the saltmarshes and farmland that stretch south to Mersea Island It is owned by the Essex Wildlife Trust and is designed for the convenience of elderly and visitors in wheelchairs. Refreshments - free car parking - Giftshop. Open daily except Mondays 9 to 5pm Website - www.essexwt.org.uk |
| RAY ISLAND Ray Island is a twenty acre island rising out of the surrounding saltings; it was bought by the National Trust under "Operation Neptune" a scheme to save the coastline of England and is managed by the Essex Wildlife Trust. The Ray has a shingly foreshore to the north - a freshwater pond and is extensively covered in blackthorn thickets and hawthorns. Ray Island reserve lies to the west of the Strood - the causeway that carries the main road from Mersea to Colchester. It is a site of Special Scientific Interest - surrounded by saltmarsh containing sea lavender, golden samphire and sea rush. Large numbers of wildfowl over winter here. Access is by boat leaving Mersea moorings at high tide and sailing up the Ray Channel. Ray Island features as the main location in the gothic melodrama "Mehalah" written by East Mersea Rector - Sabine Baring Gould. |
| Cudmore Grove can be found at the eastern end of Mersea Island next to the Colne Estuary Here you may experience peaceful coastal walks along the sea wall, explore the shore and watch the wildlife; enjoy the open grassland behind the sandy beach. It's great for picnics - flying kites or relaxing with a good book Open daily from 8am to dusk - car parking charges apply For more information |
| Abberton Nature Reserve and Visitor Centre is run by the Essex Wildlife Trust and situated at Church Road - Layer de la Haye three miles south west of Colchester. The Trust holds art and photographic exhibitions, walks, runs, talks, courses and many special events throughout the year. Observation room - shop - refreshments - facilities for the disabled. The Nature Reserve has 5 hides, including 2 with disabled access. Views over 1200 acre reservoir. Open Tuesday to Sunday 9 am to 5pm - Tel 01206 738172. Dogs allowed only in car park and picnic area |
| Dedham Vale and Constable Country Dedham is one of the opulent towns of East Anglia and sits beside the River Stour. Dedham Vale straddles the borders of Essex and Suffolk and is known as Constable Country after the famous painter John Constable East Bergholt The village of East Bergholt lies on high ground to the north side of Dedham Vale. It is where Constable had his first studio Flatford Mill is owned by the National Trust. It is the scene of some of John Constable's more well known paintings - including the Hay Wain and Willy Lott's Cottage |
| Castle Park - Colchester Castle Park is based in Colchester Town Centre. It has vast large grounds, flower beds, trees and sculptures plus a lake where you can hire pedal boats throughout the summer. There is also a large children's play area. Colchester Castle itself sits at the top end of the park whilst at the lower end beyond King's Meadow there is an Leisure Centre with swimming pool and a Ten Pin Bowling lane and the inevitable McDonalds |
| Hollytrees Museum High Street Colchester - just past the entrance to Castle Park and the War Memorial. Hollytrees is a museum where history is delivered with fun in mind. One room is dedicated to childhood - like a large playroom with games and activities. This is a FREE museum. Opening times Monday to Saturday 10am to 5pm Sunday 11am to 5pm all year round The nearest car parks are St Botolph's - Britannia and Osborne Street |
| Colchester Castle Museum is in Castle Park at the eastern end of the High street A visit to the Castle Museum takes you through 2000 years of history - Colchester was once the capital of Roman Britain. The Castle was constructed on the foundations of the Roman Temple of Claudius Tours - Audio Visual Dramas - Exhibitions - Events - Shop Opening times Mon to Sat 10am to 5pm Sun 11am to 5pm - last admission 4.30pm Entrance charges apply - reductions for children - under 5's free - concessions available For more details Tel 01206 282939 - www.colchestermuseums.org.uk |
| Colchester Zoo Open daily except Christmas Day Facilities for disabled - no dogs allowed except for registered assistance dogs For more details - www.colchester-zoo.co.uk Colchester Zoo is committed to conservation and actively supports a number of different groups around the world working to protect endangered species in the wild |
| Tiptree Heath lies between Colchester and Maldon. It is the largest surviving fragment of heathland in the County of Essex and supports a number of plants rare in Essex. The Heath is an SSSI - a Site of Special Scientific Interest under the Wildlife and Countryside Act. The open heathland is mainly pure heather or a heather/bent grass mosaic. During the last century it was the haunt of vagrants, footpads and ne'er do wells. It was also (allegedly) where contraband goods were hidden away! |
| Tiptree Tea Rooms and Museum Wilkin and Sons Ltd have a Tea Room and Museum beside their famous Jam Making factory in Tiptree. Fruit Growers and Preservers since 1885 The first Tiptree preserves were made in 1885 in barn where Tiptree Visitor Centre, Museum and Tea Room now stand The Tiptree Mulberry Orchard is thought to be almost one hundred and fifty years old. Each berry is painstakingly hand picked before being sorted and prepared for jam making. Last year the entire mulberry production sold out within just four weeks. You can order on line - www. pick-your-own.com or Telephone 01621 817 313 |
| The Headgate Theatre The home of amatuer theatre in Colchester www.headgatetheatre.co.uk. |
| Odean Cinema Head Street - Colchester www.odeon.co.uk |
| Mercury Theatre The Mercury Theatre presents classic drama and a range of visiting work www.mercurytheatre.co.uk |
| Colchester Arts Centre Rock and folk gigs - club nights - comedy - world music - jazz - drama - kids theatre and workshops. www.colchesterartscentre.com |
| Rollerworld Rollerworld + Quasar Rollerskating Rink - Quasar - Eastgates - Colchester Tel: 01206 868868 |
| Walton Pier - Walton on the Naze Free entry - whatever the weather its all under cover www.waltonpier.co.uk Clacton Pier - Clacton on Sea A Fairground Pier |
| Sailing Barge - Wyvenhoe The Thames Sailing Barge "Wyvenhoe" built 1898 is now fitted out for Charter Work. Based at Maldon she can be chartered for up to 12 people to sail or 60 for static work. Day sails - weekends and longer To book telephone Martin Phillips web: www,wyvenhoe.co.uk 01245 600829 or 07802362973 |
| Golf Driving Range Waldegraves Holiday Park - West Mersea 10 Bay Undercover Golf Driving Range 18 Hole Pitch and Putt also Freshwater and Fishing Lakes Open all year round 01206 382898 www. waldegraves.co.uk |
| History Walks During the summer season Mersea Museum organise History Walks. Guided tours around the Coast Road to the Lane area of Mersea. Tours leave the Museum at 2.30pm on Saturday afternoons |