Mersea Island - Essex Coast Holidays Newsletter

Away Resorts Mersea Island is a coastal holiday park on the Essex shore of the Blackwater Estuary, offering a quieter alternative to busier British seaside resorts. Away Resorts was founded in 2008 by Carl Castledine, Neil Ryder, and Greg Lashley with the aim of creating holiday parks for the next generation, and Mersea Island – located at Fen Lane, East Mersea – is one of more than 20 parks the company operates across the UK. The park sits beside a private pebble beach with direct sea access and views across the estuary, making it a genuinely distinctive spot on the Essex coast. It is pet-friendly throughout, with open green space adjoining Cudmore Grove Country Park for walks.

The Park and Its Facilities

Mersea Island Holiday Park combines the calm of a coastal nature setting with a solid range of on-site amenities. An indoor swimming pool means a dip is possible whatever the weather, and the Muddy Duck Clubhouse provides a bar, seasonal entertainment, and a meeting point for families. A kids' outdoor play area, small arcade, and on-site shop round out the essentials. The park also offers hot tub accommodation for guests seeking a more relaxed stay, and a beach slipway gives access to the water for those who want to try watersports.

Accommodation Options

Guests can choose from caravan hire in a range of grades or tent-only camping during the summer season (note: no tourers, campervans, or caravans are accepted on the camping field). The Oyster Cottage is an exclusive-to-Mersea coastal-themed retreat that sleeps small groups in a more private setting. Holiday home ownership has also been available from the park, with pitches offering the estuary views the site is known for.

What to Do Nearby

West Mersea itself is famous for its oyster bar, where locally harvested shellfish have been served for generations – one of the most well-known seafood destinations on the Essex coast. The Mersea Island Vineyard produces English wines and welcomes visitors for tastings. Further afield, Colchester Zoo covers 60 acres of parkland and is home to more than 270 species, making it one of the most highly regarded zoos in Europe. The Beth Chatto Gardens, created from unpromising wasteland by the celebrated plantswoman Beth Chatto, offers a remarkable series of themed garden areas a short drive away.

Away Resorts as a Company

Away Resorts operates over 20 parks stretching from Scotland and North Wales to Cornwall and Essex. The company's stated philosophy is to give each park its own individual character rather than applying a uniform template, and staff across the group are known internally as "Holiday Heroes." The business grew from a single acquisition on the Isle of Wight in 2008 to a portfolio spanning coastal and countryside locations throughout Great Britain.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Away Resorts Mersea Island still open?

Yes, as of 2026 Mersea Island Holiday Park remains open and is operated by Away Resorts. The park runs a seasonal camping programme and accepts bookings for caravan hire year-round. Check the Away Resorts website for current opening dates and availability.

Is Mersea Island Holiday Park dog friendly?

Yes, the park is pet-friendly and allows dogs. It sits adjacent to Cudmore Grove Country Park, which provides extensive open space for walking dogs off the main park grounds.

Does Mersea Island Holiday Park have a pool?

Yes, the park has an indoor swimming pool, which is available to guests regardless of the weather. This is one of the facilities highlighted across the Away Resorts group at this park.

Can you go camping at Mersea Island Away Resorts?

Tent camping is available during the summer season, typically July and August. The camping field does not accept tourers, campervans, or caravans – it is exclusively for tents. Dates vary by year so it is worth confirming current availability directly with the park.

What is there to do near Away Resorts Mersea Island?

The West Mersea Oyster Bar serves locally caught oysters and seafood close to the park. Mersea Island Vineyard offers English wine tastings. Colchester Zoo, one of Europe's most respected zoological parks, is a short drive away, as are the Beth Chatto Gardens, a celebrated example of ecological planting design.

Who owns Away Resorts?

Away Resorts was founded in 2008 by Carl Castledine, Neil Ryder, and Greg Lashley. The business later attracted private equity investment, with CVC Capital Partners acquiring a majority stake in 2021. The company continues to operate under the Away Resorts brand with Carl Castledine as CEO.

This brochure is part of the Catalink archive and may no longer be available to order. The information above describes Away Resorts Mersea Island Holiday Park on the Essex coast. For current details, visit the company's official website.