Entire home

Island Cottage, West Mersea . Beach /waterside area. MAY availability.

Photo gallery for Island Cottage, West Mersea . Beach /waterside area. MAY availability.

Exterior
Double bedroom
The view from the bedroom window in April
Dining
Unclassified image, 5 of 24, button

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional
2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 4

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Washer
  • Kitchen
  • Outdoor space
  • Free WiFi
  • Water view

Explore the area

Map
Mersea island, ENG
  • Layer Marney Tower
    ‪15 min drive‬
  • Colchester Zoo
    ‪19 min drive‬
  • University of Essex
    ‪19 min drive‬
  • London (SEN-Southend)
    ‪69 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 4)

Bedroom 1

1 Double Bed

Bedroom 2

2 Single Beds

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Garden
Dining Area

About this property

Island Cottage, West Mersea . Beach /waterside area. MAY availability.

Island Cottage is a traditional waterside cottage with wifi and parking on the grounds, sleeping 4 people in 2 bedrooms. It is just a stones throw from the Mersea Island swimming and beach as can be seen in the pictures. This is a real, original, period cottage dating back to 1700s with the inherent charm and characteristics of an old cottage. It has a delightful, sunny, beach-house feel, a comfortable sitting room, dining area, well -equipped kitchen (washing machine, hob/cooker, microwave) and bathroom, all downstairs. Upstairs there are two bedrooms - a good sized double and a twin (2' 6' beds) with a 10 step staircase to the upstairs, see pics. It is in a perfect location just across the road from the water and beach, 2 minutes from the village shops and a short stroll along the coast to the waterside restaurants e.g. The Company Shed (renowned as one of the best fresh fish/shellfish places in the UK), the Coast Inn and the Dukes waterside eating.

Bookings start any date in week and we can be flexible just send a message. Short 2 night bookings possible just ask or month long booking occasionally possible.

There is a large garden with sunny sitting out area back and front and garden furniture also Smart TV with Netflix, iPlayer and digital channels. Elizabeth said 'We enjoyed a lovely stay at Island Cottage. It was beautifully clean and tidy on our arrival. The cottage is ideally located. Walking distance to the village and just a stones throw from the beach! My children particularly enjoyed the large garden. And I loved a soak in the bath after a day at the beach. We will definitely book again.'

The cottage is available to start on flexible days through the week for 2, 3, 6, 7 nights or monthly depending on time of year, please contact the owner to request via this website - just ask!

Parking is available on the property grounds.

2 night weekends start at around £300 in low season (January).

If you want to travel off this peaceful island you are near to Constable Country (Dedham, Flatford Mill), Wivenhoe (lovely riverside location), Mistley, Malden, Colchester and lots of delightful villages in the countryside. The island is reached by a causeway and is popular for sailing, lovely walks, birdwatching, watersports, lovely fish restaurants and generally a relaxing time. If you take the car off the island you can reach Suffolk Constable Country easily and all the lovely pubs and restaurants of Essex and Suffolk. Colchester Castle and shopping is just 9 miles away.
Local shops, delis and pubs are very near by – just a short stroll.
For fans of radio - Enjoy a visit Radio Caroline's legendary former pirate radio ship Ross Revenge where it is moored on River Blackwater in Essex.

Accommodation details:
Ground floor: Living room. Dining room. Kitchen. Bathroom with shower over bath and toilet. 10 fairly steep cottage stairs to first floor, not suitable for elderly or those with movement difficulties : 2 bedrooms: 1 double and 1 twin (2ft 6in beds suitable for children and most adult). Absolutely no pets, candles or smoking due to being an old timber built cottage and recent government introduced fire risk rules.

Facilities:
Bed linen and towels inc. NS heating. Smart TV. Stereo/CD. M/wave. W/machine. Garden with patio and furniture. Free Parking on property grounds. No smoking, candles or pets. For short visits Friday or Sat arrival preferred or Sunday/Monday. Can accommodate different arrival /departure days occasionally please ask.
Due to very high energy rates currently I ask for a contribution to extra electricity of £7 per night Nov to April this is extra to rental. A refundable damage deposit is requested depending on length of stay.

Property manager

diane wray
Premier Host

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Free WiFi
Outdoor space
Water view
Parking available

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 18
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
No candles or smoking

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Long-term renters welcome
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a deadlock

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Colchester

Located in Colchester, this cottage is in a rural area and on the waterfront. Mersea Island Vineyard and Gosfield Lake Golf Club are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those looking for area attractions can visit Colchester Natural History Museum and Xtreme Gaming. Looking to enjoy an event or a game while in town? See what's happening at Brightlingsea Open Air Swimming Pool or Ramblers Stadium. Discover the area's water adventures with windsurfing and power boating nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with cycling and horse riding.
Map
Mersea island, ENG

What's nearby

  • Layer Marney Tower - 15 min drive - 17.0 km
  • Colchester Town Hall - 16 min drive - 15.9 km
  • Colchester Castle Park - 18 min drive - 17.3 km
  • Colchester Zoo - 19 min drive - 17.0 km
  • University of Essex - 19 min drive - 20.1 km

Getting around

  • Colchester Town Station - 24 min drive
  • London (SEN-Southend) - 69 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪The Layer Fox - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪Coastal Coffee - ‬6 min walk
  • ‪The Boathouse Bar & Restaurant - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪The Coast Inn - ‬10 min walk
  • ‪The Art Cafe - ‬5 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is Island Cottage, West Mersea . Beach /waterside area. MAY availability. pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Island Cottage, West Mersea . Beach /waterside area. MAY availability.?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Island Cottage, West Mersea . Beach /waterside area. MAY availability.?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Island Cottage, West Mersea . Beach /waterside area. MAY availability. located?

Situated on the waterfront, this cottage is 2.7 mi (4.3 km) from Mersea Island Vineyard and within 9 miles (15 km) of Cudmore Grove Country Park and Gosfield Lake Golf Club. Five Lakes Golf Club and Five Lakes Resort are also within 9 miles (15 km).

Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 19 out of 24 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 4 out of 24 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 24 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 24 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 24 reviews

9.6/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Paul M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Awesome
A bright gorgeous property..Very clean with everything you would needBeautiful sea views Thank you
Stayed 29 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Susan C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Cosy cottage
Had a great stay over Christmas, cosy cottage, ideal location, reminded me of the cottage in The Holiday movie.Diane very easy to work with. Would definitely stay here again
Stayed 12 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

gary r.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Mersea island
Very happy with property and excellent location, only a short walk to beach, cafes and bars, with great fresh fish and seafood locally caught. Lovely peaceful garden to relax in and enjoy a glass of wine Would definitely go back again. Ideal for couples.
Stayed 14 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Gerfried O.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Summer Holidays in West Mersea
The check-in was easy and very well explained before. We found everything we expected since the description in the ad was very accurate. The house was mostly very clean and we felt good. The surroundings are very beautiful. Colchester, Chelmsfordand London are easily accessible and enabled a variety of exciting activities. We take home a big suitcase full of beautiful memories.
Stayed 11 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Katy G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Christmas on Mersey
I was delighted with the quick responses from the host,and found the property beautifully clean,warm and Chrissmassy! We found the property well equipped. The location is really good for the beach, where some of us braved winter swims . Highly recommended.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2023

8/10 Good

Valerie F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Review
Overall good. In a good location with easy walking to beach and shops. Also daughter and son-in-law close to parents house. Slight problem with shower - possibly caused by weak water pressure as not always easy to wash hair.
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Robert B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Rob
We had a lovely relaxing stay at the cottage. Such a warm friendly welcome from Diane. The facilities in the cottage were fantastic with everything we needed. The location is also perfect and close to everything from shops, pubs and the beach. I would highly recommend this to anyone looking for a nice little getaway in a beautiful part of Essex.
Stayed 26 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Samantha S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great little cottage close to everything!
We (my husband and I and our 17 year old son) spent 10 days at the cottage in July 2023. The cottage is centrally located and close to the beach, restaurants, cafes and grocery stores. We highly recommend the Art Cafe for breakfast and lunch (call to reserve a table as they get busy) and the Coast Inn that overlooks the water for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Both are within walking distance of the cottage. The cottage itself it absolutely lovely and comes with everything you need for your stay. As mentioned in the listing this is a small cottage with tricky stairs so although it was perfect for us it may not be suitable for the elderly or people with little kiddos. We will definitely stay here again as we loved every minute of it.
Stayed 10 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Gloria s.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Island holiday
We had a lovely stay at the cottage, we sat in the garden under the trees for breakfast
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Rachel D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Lovely Property
We really enjoyed our stay at the cottage, it's in a lovely quiet location and so close to the beach and short walk to the village. We had everything we needed for our stay and were very comfortable there which is important to us after traveling from the US. We will keep this cottage in mind for future visits. The host was easily reachable, friendly and helped with heating etc even though we weren't expecting to need it.
Stayed 17 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Walter C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Very cosy cottage would stay again
Lovely small cosy cottage in a very quiet location near the beach and centre of west Mersea very clean and everything you needed really enjoyed the week that we stayed there
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Charming traditional cottage with gorgeous garden in fabulous location
The cottage, which was spotlessly clean, is in a perfect coastal location between beach, shops and restaurants. We love the charm of traditional fisherman's cottages, which we appreciate are modest in size, yet found 4 adults comfortable in this cottage , even my husband who is 6'3'' There is a super front garden and back where we enjoyed sitting out morning and evening and my morning run along the beach was sublime. Inside there is a good TV with Netflix etc. We wished we could have stayed longer!
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2022

8/10 Good

Barrend C.

Liked: Check-in, location, listing accuracy
Disliked: Cleanliness
Nice place with great views and garden, close to the sea
This place is very nice and cosy, it is very well located and has a great garden at the front and back of the house. Be careful if you are over 6.2 feet as there are two low entrances into the living room and towards the staircase. The only issue was that the place was not cleaned properly, it was very dusty and needed a deep clean.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Sandra N.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Mersea Cottage
A delightful cottage in an excellent location, close to the shops and restaurants . It is well equipped and has outside seating at the front and as well as a pretty garden at the back. It proved to be an excellent base for our four day Island walking holiday.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2022

6/10 Okay

Colette E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location
Great Location
This is a very cosy cottage. However it is very small especially for 4 grown adults. The twin beds are smaller than regular twin beds. The ceilings and doors are very low so not great for tall people & the stairs are very steep. Luckily the weather was fantastic so we were able to enjoy both seating areas in the front and back gardens. Be aware of the 60 day cancellation!
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2022

10/10 Excellent

Thomas S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wunderschön-einfaches, gemütliches Cottage
Tolle Lage, gute und zuvorkommende Kommunikation sowie Tipps der Vermieterin. erholsames und entspanntes Urlaubsfeeling mit allem was man (wirklich) braucht und unbedingt weiter zu empfehlen! Wir kommen gerne irgendwann wieder...
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2022

10/10 Excellent

Sara M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great place for a week-long holiday. Great location. Quiet yet near coast, shops & restaurants.
The property is much bigger inside than we expected. Nicely furnished; no dishwasher (but we didn't want one anyway!); good size living room. But beware the exceptionally steep stairs. We managed OK but they are not for the faint hearted! Bathroom is on ground floor so if you need to use it during the night, you have to be wide awake and be very careful.
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2022

10/10 Excellent

James H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Lovely short break
We had a great stay here for three nights. This is a cute little cottage ideal for a group of up to four. It's perfectly placed a stone's throw from the beach and a short walk from the restaurants down at the harbour and in the village. We'd highly recommend it.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2021

10/10 Excellent

Karen Y.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Delightful cottage with great garden
This is a lovely cottage really close to the beach and to West Mersea village. The upper floor has glorious real wood floors and a sea view. The downstairs has access to a lovely long enclosed garden, perfect for relaxing after a day out exploring. The stairs up to the two bedrooms is quite steep but there is a lovely handle rail, the bedrooms are nice and airy. We did a mix of self-catering and meals out during our stay and this worked well for us. My favourite spot: sitting on The Square side of the cottage, on the bench, reading a book - with the sea to look at. Glorious!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2021

8/10 Good

susan p.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Relaxing short break
Ideal location, close to beach and easy to get around. Spent all our time outside as the weather was superb and the garden was the ideal spot to sit.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

Cathy B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
short break
Lived up to the listing completely. Really lovely little cottage and garden in great location. Would definitely recommend.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2021
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

Emily N.

Bright and beautiful little cottage
Island Cottage is bright, clean, comfortable and well equipped. A brilliant location with the beach, shops and restaurants all within easy walking distance. We had a brilliant week building sandcastles, collecting shells, crabbing and eating seafood. Just big enough for the four of us - the kids loved the garden too!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Carine M.

Lovely place for a little get-away.
Nice little place in a great location close to the beach, a green and lovely cafes. Very relaxing.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Valerie H.

Perfect for me
Absolutely perfect cottage with lovely and large garden. Like coming back to your own home everyday. Ideal location. Great if you want to stay in and around West Mersea but Colchester is easily accessible if you want a visit to a bigger town.

About the host

Hosted by diane wray

Host profile image
I love unspoilt islands for long walks, sailing, swimming and enjoying long lunches especially at The Company Shed on the island.

Why they chose this property

A real cottage with a history dating back to the late 1700's in a fabulous location near the water, beach and yacht club. Views from bedrooms towards water. Also a short stroll brings you to the famous Company Shed (fish and shellfish restaurant) and West Mersea Oyster Bar.

What makes this property unique

Location - very near to beach and waterfront (just over road) , views from bedrooms and also short stroll to The Company Shed oyster and seafood restaurant, pub and shops

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests