Round Mersea Island
(Our overall day number 11 - Part of The KC3 ECP Leg 37 - Mersea Island)Round Mersea Island
16th April 2022 | Miles 13.3 | Elevation gain 107ft
A 13.3 mile walk around Mersea Island, starting from Cudmore Grove on the east side, anti-clockwise along the less-populated marshy northern coast, then through the town of West Mersea, before heading along the beach on the southern side, with a detour inland to avoid eroded coast, then back on the beach to reach the start point.
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Getting there and back
There is one road onto Mersea Island, called The Strood, and it can be covered at high tide - usually twice a day for one week of the month for around 90 minutes. See the Mersea Island leg page for a link to information on how to check the tide.
We drove on the day of the walk from home in Hertfordshire to the Cudmore Grove Country Park which was at the opposite end of the Island to West Mersea. There is a nice big car park there. On Saturdays there is a Parkrun held starting from this car park - we arrived around 10.30 by which time most of the runners had left so plenty of parking, however any earlier it could be difficult to park.
Weather conditions
Fine sunny weather, but there was an unseasonably chilly wind
Walking difficulty
Flat and easy walking, a little section along the beach on the south cost of the island which could be harder to walk at high tide
The story of our day in photos
.jpg "Cudmore Grove Country Park - start of the walk")
Cudmore Grove Country Park - start of the walk
.jpg "Rounding the eastern tip of the Island, looking across to Brightlingsea")
Rounding the eastern tip of the Island, looking across to Brightlingsea
.jpg "Not many people around - walking past the Reeveshall Marsh, around 3 miles from the start.")
Not many people around - walking past the Reeveshall Marsh, around 3 miles from the start.
.jpg "On the north side of the Island, heading inland for while around the Maydays Marsh")
On the north side of the Island, heading inland for while around the Maydays Marsh
.jpg "Is it lunchtime yet?")
Is it lunchtime yet?
.jpg "The Strood - the tidal crossing onto the Island")
The Strood - the tidal crossing onto the Island
.jpg "Seaweed on the fence by The Strood")
Seaweed on the fence by The Strood
.jpg "Along the busy road near The Strood - hopefully when it is finished the coast path will have a better route here.")
Along the busy road near The Strood - hopefully when it is finished the coast path will have a better route here.
.jpg "Coming up towards the coast at the Strood Channel - nearly lunchtime!")
Coming up towards the coast at the Strood Channel - nearly lunchtime!
.jpg "Lunch on the shore of the Strood Channel, watching the water skiers")
Lunch on the shore of the Strood Channel, watching the water skiers
.jpg "High and dry, approaching West Mersea")
High and dry, approaching West Mersea
.jpg "Disused oyster pits, just outside West Mersea")
Disused oyster pits, just outside West Mersea
.jpg "Approaching West Mersea")
Approaching West Mersea
.jpg "The path comes through the port at West Mersea")
The path comes through the port at West Mersea
.jpg "Striding along the beach by West Mersea, south coast of the Island")
Striding along the beach by West Mersea, south coast of the Island
.jpg "Guest Walkers Ani The Dog and Ruby The Dog")
Guest Walkers Ani The Dog and Ruby The Dog
.jpg "Busy (but chilly) Easter Saturday, West Mersea Beach")
Busy (but chilly) Easter Saturday, West Mersea Beach
.jpg "Beach Huts, West Mersea Beach")
Beach Huts, West Mersea Beach
.jpg "Looking back along the beach towards West Mersea")
Looking back along the beach towards West Mersea
.jpg "Beach erosion means the coast path is closed just after Waldegraves campsite, it is necessary to detour inland")
Beach erosion means the coast path is closed just after Waldegraves campsite, it is necessary to detour inland
.jpg "Back on the beach, approaching Cudmore Grove and a well earned rest!")
Back on the beach, approaching Cudmore Grove and a well earned rest!
