Travel

The idea of island hopping in Essex may never have crossed your mind but there are some great places to go in the Blackwater estuary.
Northey Island, a National Trust property in Essex sits in the Blackwater Estuary near Maldon. It has a tidal causeway so you need to book in advance to access the site. It’s perfect for spotting wildlife or just getting away from it all.

Mersea Island is found south east of Colchester, and situated between the Blackwater and Colne estuaries. With a land area of around ten square miles, it is home to the town of West Mersea and the village of East Mersea. It can be accessed by rail, ferry from nearby Brightlingsea, or road (though this is subject to tide times!). Mersea Island is famous for its seafood. Don’t miss the delicious platters at The Company Shed . Leeward House, a B&B by the beach, has doubles from £70, or splash out – almost literally – on The Raft, a floating cabin sleeping four near Maldon from £195 a night. Cudmore Grove Country Park at East Mersea has the added attraction of a quiet beach and long views over the Blackwater Estuary. Essex has one of the longest coastlines of any English county and a number of excellent blue flag beaches at Dovercourt, Brightlingsea and 3 in Southend-on-Sea. For more traditional fun head to Clacton-on-Sea for some fun-packed rides on the pier.