Past & Present

The island’s natural beauty has always attracted artists and photographers.

Mersea Island Museum Trust will share a glimpse of the 'End of an Era'. Grand plans for a Garden Village by the Sea with railway, esplanade, temperance hotel, lecture halls and grand auditorium were all shelved as so many were called or volunteered for military service never to return.

Mersea Waterfront is now a backdrop for both work and leisure. You can visit the Packing Shed Trust to hear the story of Mersea's Oyster industry since 1890.
The Town Regatta is a celebration of rowing and sailing with a pair oared rowing race around Cobmarsh Island followed by a week of sailing races in Smacks, Racing Yachts, Classic Yachts, Fisherman's Open Boats and Dinghys. The week ends with the infamous 'Watersports' including games and walking the 'greasy pole' before a firework display brings the whole event to an end for another year.

If you enjoy time spent in the garden or countryside then Essex Beekeepers will answer any questions regarding bees and beekeeping and you can view a fully operational bee hive before tasting their lovely honey. Perhaps the RSPB can help identify that rare (?) overwintering bird spotted on the bird table and tell you how best to encourage our native garden birds.

Community

Cancer Research
Catherine Bullen Foundation
Dermentia Care
Proud of Mersea
RNLI
RSPB
The Packing Shed Trust
West Mersea Town Regatta