Mersea Island.....a mystical hidden gem on the Essex coast!

Think you have seen all the best coastal places to stay in the UK?  We have got one you might just have missed...

Mersea Island is a truly beautiful place which can only be reached by a Roman causeway connecting the island to Colchester, known as the Strood. Make sure you check the tide times though, as everyday the road floods at High Tide and for a period the island is completely cut off from the mainland.

Once on the island you will be welcomed by some of the best seafood restaurants around serving locally sourced fish, crabs, lobsters, prawns and of course the famous oysters. Head to the renowned The Company Shed, described by Jay Rayner of The Observer as 'a gem', it's fabulous seafood platters will not fail to delight.

If you like your food and drink then you may want to stop by the Mersea Island vineyard or book yourself on a cookery course at the school.

Sailing and watersports is also a big thing on Mersea Island...home to Olympic sailing medallist Saskia Clark. The annual island regatta takes place in August with sailing races, watersports and on-shore entertainment in the form of stalls, music and fireworks. If you have left your sea legs at home but find yourself in search of adventure then try the Mersea Centre, part of Essex outdoors where you can try activities like High Ropes, Orienteering, Off road biking and obstacle courses with the family.

The natural beauty of Mersea Island is such that you don't even need to plan lots of things to do. Enjoy a tranquil wander taking in the stunning beaches, the saltmarshes, grasslands and Cudmore Grove to the East of the island with views over the Colne and Blackwater estuaries, walk the seawall and see the eroding cliff tops. Wildlife is in abundance around these parts and birdwatchers will love spotting the geese, wigeons and buntings as well as other animals including deer. See the Mersea Wildlife blog for more details.

Mersea Island is definitely off the beaten track and offers a wonderful tranquil escape. All you need now is the perfect place to stay.......Bumpkin is a stunning, charming holiday cottage in West Mersea which sleeps 6 guests. The holiday cottage has a contemporary and stylish interior with a light and airy living space enjoying ample soft seating, WiFi, flatscreen TVs with Freeview and a beautiful outside decked area. Bumpkin is ideally located close to the boutique shops and restaurants on the island and has off road parking.

So try somewhere different and book a break at Bumpkin on Mersea Island - there is still time to book a last minute break and catch the Christmas Lights Switch On event on 7 December 2012. Christmas & New Year breaks are still available to book...

CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS AND TO BOOK