Mersea Anchorage Cottage | Estuary Views

Tucked into the historic anchorage area of West Mersea, this characterful cottage offers estuary views from the rear garden and back rooms - one of the better outlooks you'll find on Mersea Island. Beach chic interiors, a log burner for cooler evenings, and a private enclosed garden looking out over the water. Two minutes to the waterfront, 5-10 minutes to the famous oyster shacks. Pet-friendly. Managed by SIB Properties.

We’re available via Airbnb for any questions or recommendation you may need, or please phone in an emergency.

West Mersea is one of Essex's most rewarding places to spend a few days - a tidal island community built around oysters, sailing and the sea, with enough independent character to feel genuinely distinctive rather than just another seaside town.

The anchorage area sits at the quieter, more characterful end of the island. The famous oyster shacks are a short walk along the waterfront - the Company Shed is a local institution worth planning an evening around, with Mersea's inter-tidal oysters among the best in the country. For something more formal, The White Hart Inn on the High Street holds a Michelin Guide listing and a sun-trap courtyard terrace. The Victory pub and the Coast Inn on Seaview Avenue, sit right next to the waterfront with live music ofter on offer. For coffee, Island Art Cafe on Coast Road doubles as a gallery and is the most popular spot on the island, or The Strood Kitchen is great for homecooked goods!

Beyond eating and drinking, Mersea rewards a proper wander - coastal walks around the island, the Mersea Island Museum, the Mersea Regatta in summer, and Mersea Island Vineyard for tastings. Colchester, with its Roman walls and Norman castle, is a 20-minute drive.

The whole cottage will be yours to enjoy!

West Mersea's anchorage area has been home to fishermen, oystermen and sailors for centuries - and this cottage sits quietly at the heart of it. Away from the main beach bustle, but just a short walk from everything that makes West Mersea worth visiting, it's a genuinely characterful spot on one of Essex's most distinctive islands.

Inside, the renovation strikes the right balance between beach chic and genuine comfort. Warm, rustic textures sit alongside modern finishes in a way that feels considered rather than contrived - the kind of interior that suits sandy feet and salty air. A log burner anchors the living space for cooler evenings, and the fully equipped kitchen makes it easy to cook together after a day on the water or the coast path.

Two bedrooms sleep up to 4 - a double upstairs and a twin room, with a shower room on the ground floor. A washing machine and dryer make it well suited to longer stays or anyone arriving with children or dogs.

Outside, the enclosed rear garden is one of the cottage's best kept secrets. A table for four looks directly out over the estuary - genuinely one of the better views you'll find from a garden on Mersea Island. The evening sun catches it perfectly, which tends to be where guests end up as the day winds down.

West Mersea rewards a proper explore. The famous oyster shacks on the waterfront are a 5-10 minute walk - Company Shed and The Shed are two of Essex's most celebrated seafood spots and worth planning an evening around. The waterfront is also 2 minutes away and the long Mersea beach 5 minutes in the other direction. Mersea Island Vineyard, coastal walks around the island, and the wider Essex coast are all within easy reach.

Managed by SIB Properties, a specialist short-let management company covering Essex and Suffolk.

What this place offers:
🌊 Estuary views from the rear garden & back rooms
🔥 Log burner for cooler evenings
🌿 Enclosed private garden with table for 4
🏖️ 2 minute walk to the beach
🦪 West Mersea oyster shacks 5-10 minutes on foot
🐾 Pet-friendly
🚗 Free on-site parking for 1 car
🧺 Washing machine & dryer
🛏️ Double bedroom + twin room
📍 Mersea Island Vineyard & coastal walks nearby

We can only accommodate one parked car at the premises, all other cars must be parked on the road and not the track to the car.

A security deposit is needed to secure your booking, unless you have booked via Airbnb.