ISLAND TIME: THE ULTIMATE MERSEA ISLAND WEEKEND GUIDE
Friday 16th to Sunday 18th October
Your weekly Mersea Island Weekend guide to tides and what's happening on Mersea Island.
Spooky season has officially landed on the island and things are already getting out of hand. We’ve just witnessed Stroody and Brent sprinting out of the haunted woods at absolute warp speed. Stroody has lost a wellie in the mud, dropped his pipe, and is currently hiding out at the bar refusing to ever go back in. Safe to say, the autumn chaos is well and truly underway. Grab your coats, check the clear afternoon tides, and let's dive straight into your ultimate island roadmap. 🌊🍂🎃
Anyway, here is what you can get up to on the island this weekend:
1. THE MERSEA ISLAND WEEKEND WEATHER
Here is your quick glance at how the island is looking this weekend. Grab your rain mac for Friday, but keep an eye out for those sunny intervals on Saturday before the autumn showers roll back in on Sunday:
📅 Friday 16th October
• 🌦️ Conditions: Light rain with a moderate breeze.
• 🌡️ Temperature: High 16°C | Low 5°C.
📅 Saturday 17th October
• ⛅ Conditions: Sunny intervals and a moderate breeze.
• 🌡️ Temperature: High 15°C | Low 7°C.
📅 Sunday 18th October
• 🌦️ Conditions: Light rain showers with a moderate breeze.
• 🌡️ Temperature: High 15°C | Low 9°C.
2. THE Mersea Island Strood - TIDAL BRIEFING
We have standard afternoon high tides rolling in all weekend. Because they are peaking well under the 5-metre mark, the causeway is highly unlikely to flood, so you can breathe a sigh of relief on your journeys. However, always keep an eye out for any sudden wind changes that might push extra spray onto the road around these peak water times:
📅 Friday 16th October
• High Tide: 16:05 (4.63m) 🟢 Causeway clear.
📅 Saturday 17th October
• High Tide: 16:41 (4.26m) 🟢 Causeway clear.
📅 Sunday 18th October
• High Tide: 17:27 (3.86m) 🟢 Causeway clear.
Stroody's Reminder: No floaty not-a-boat car dramas expected on the Facebook feeds this weekend. Safe travels!
3. ON THE WATER BEST BITS
With our afternoon high tides rolling in later each day, your launch windows are pushed right into the afternoon compared to last week. If you are planning on getting your boats, kayaks, or jet skis out onto the Blackwater estuary, you want to launch into the rising tide before it peaks and turns back around. Here is your quick high-water launch cheat sheet:
📅 Friday 16th October
• 🌊 Launch Window: 14:05 – 18:05
• 🚣 Perfect depth right through the late afternoon with high water peaking at 16:05 (4.63m).
📅 Saturday 17th October
• 🌊 Launch Window: 14:41 – 18:41
• 🚣 A great late afternoon float window. High water hits at 16:41 with 4.26m of depth across the public slipways.
📅 Sunday 18th October
• 🌊 Launch Window: 15:27 – 19:27
🚣 Our latest window of the weekend, peaking at 17:27 (3.86m). Just make sure you have your navigation lights ready if you stay out close to dusk
4. THE MERSEA ISLAND WEEKEND SURVIVAL GUIDE
📅 FRIDAY 16th October
SUPPORTER SPOTLIGHT – The Fox Inn
Start your autumn weekend right with a sizzling dinner. They are firing up their legendary Black Rock Steaks, meaning you get to cook your premium cut exactly how you like it on a volcanic hot stone right at your table! 🥩🔥
• What to Grab: Their famous black rock rump, ribeye, or sirloin steaks served up hot with all the proper pub trimmings.
• Where: The Fox Inn, 106 East Road.
• Timings: Serving from 5:00pm until 9:00pm.
• Book Your Table: Call Stuart and the team on 01206 383391
WHAT'S ON:
THE ART CAFE QUIZ NIGHT
• Grab your cleverest mates and get down for a proper local brain-teaser. Food, drinks, and cracking company are guaranteed. 🧠🍻
• Timings: Kickoff from 7:30pm.
• Where: The Art Cafe, 2 Coast Road.
• Get the Details: Head over to their Facebook page to check their quiz supper menu rules and entry guidelines.
📅 SATURDAY 17th October
SUPPORTER SPOTLIGHT – Mersea Barns
Are you brave enough for some spooky local fun? Mersea Barns has officially launched its highly anticipated 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗺𝗻 𝗛𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗹! Grab the kids and head down to explore the fields, hunt out the hidden spooky signs, and claim a sweet reward at the end. For the braver souls, there is an optional detour through the haunted wood filled with creepy surprises that are definitely not for the faint-hearted.
• What to Expect: A cracking autumn trail perfect for kids aged 10 and under. Pushchairs with larger wheels can manage the path, but make sure to pack your wellies if it has been raining! Dogs are also welcome on leads.
• Where: Mersea Barns, East Road, East Mersea (CO5 8TQ).
• Price: £6.00 per child, and adults go completely free.
• Get the Details: Find out more on the Mersea Barns Website: merseabarns.com
SUPPORTER SPOTLIGHT – The Dog and Pheasant
The kitchen team has cooked up a serious line-up of mouth-watering 𝙒𝙚𝙚𝙠𝙚𝙣𝙙 𝘾𝙝𝙚𝙛 𝙎𝙥𝙚𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙡𝙨, and they look absolutely incredible. If you want to bag one of these premium dishes, booking your table immediately is highly recommended—make sure to explicitly tell the team you are booking for the specials, because 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙜𝙤𝙣𝙚, 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙜𝙤𝙣𝙚!
• 𝗢𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗕𝗼𝗮𝗿𝗱:
For the starter: Golden, deep-fried brie served hot with a sweet cranberry sauce.
For the meat lovers: A prime 8oz sirloin steak served with chips, a grilled tomato, mushrooms, fine beans, crispy onion rings, and a rich peppercorn sauce topped with garlic butter.
• 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲: The Dog & Pheasant, East Road, East Mersea (CO5 8TP).
• 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗧𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲: Secure your spot online via the KuulSeats booking link: or call the team directly on 01206 383206
WHAT'S ON:
𝗠𝗘𝗥𝗦𝗘𝗔 𝗜𝗦𝗟𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗠𝗢𝗗𝗘𝗟 𝗕𝗢𝗔𝗧 𝗖𝗟𝗨𝗕 𝗠𝗘𝗘𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚
Head down to the lakeside to watch a fantastic morning display from the local model boat crew. They will be showcasing a massive variety of radio-controlled vessels out on the water, covering everything from classic sail and high-detail scale boats to steam models and 𝙛𝙖𝙨𝙩 𝙚𝙡𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙧𝙞𝙘 𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙚𝙧𝙨.
• 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀: Running from 10:00am until 12:00pm.
• 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗰𝘁: If you want to get involved with the club, you can drop them an email at merseaislandmodelboatclub@btinternet.com
📅 SUNDAY 18th October
SUPPORTER SPOTLIGHT – The Strood Kitchen
The Strood Kitchen has launched its new comfort-focused Autumn Menu featuring breakfast treats, fresh rolls, home-baked goods, and daily gluten-free and vegan options. Visit their Facebook page for details.
Where to Find Them: The Strood Kitchen, Yorick Road.
Opening Hours: Open daily from 9:30am.
SUPPORTER SPOTLIGHT – Waterfront Pizza
The Zucca Crema is making its return to Waterfront Pizza, bringing together creamy pumpkin and spicy ’nduja for the perfect autumn pizza.
And they've got something new for those with a sweet tooth (and a taste for something a little stronger)...
Meet The Colonel
A refreshing scoop of lemon sorbet served with a shot of chilled vodka to pour over. Simple, zesty and the perfect way to round off your pizza night.
Two very good reasons to pay a visit this October
Where to Find Them: Waterfront Pizza, Coast Road
Opening Hours: Fri & Sat: open 12:00 – last orders 21:30
Sun: open 12:00 – last orders 20:30
WHAT'S ON:
𝗠𝗔𝗦𝗦𝗜𝗩𝗘 𝗟𝗢𝗖𝗔𝗟 𝗪𝗔𝗟𝗞𝗦 𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘: 𝗘x𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝘄-𝗟𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗜𝘀𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀! 🥾🌊
We have completely overhauled our 𝗟𝗲𝘁'𝘀 𝗪𝗮𝗹𝗸 guides to create the ultimate digital guide for exploring the absolute best of Mersea on foot. Whether you want to clear away the cobwebs along the rugged sea walls, search for prehistoric fossils, or take a lazy afternoon stroll past the historic houseboats on Coast Road, we have mapped out the perfect mobile-tracked routes.
Every single trail is fully optimised for your phone screen, guiding you directly past our favourite independent pitstops, beach huts, and historic local pubs to refuel along the way.
• 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗥𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗡𝗼𝘄:
𝗖𝘂𝗱𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗟𝗼𝗼𝗽𝘀: Beautiful, family-friendly cliffside meadows and sandy shoreline circuits.
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗪𝗜𝗜 𝗛𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗹: A specialized path guiding you straight past our historic coastal pillboxes and radar spots.
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗼𝗴 & 𝗣𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗖𝗶𝗿𝗰𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗹: The ultimate pub-to-coast route cutting through quiet rural lanes and peaceful East Mersea sea walls.
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗠𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗮 𝗖𝗶𝗿𝗰𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗲𝗿: A proper 5.6-mile interactive loop charting the western tip of the island from the channel right past Ray Island and the pastel beach huts.
• 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴: Lace up your boots, check the tide, and access the brand-new interactive maps directly on the website here: https://www.eatshopplaymersea.co.uk/lets-walk
5. DOES ANYONE KNOW A...? 🤔💬
If you spend more than five minutes scrolling the local Facebook timelines, you already know this is the absolute number one question asked on the island every single day.
Instead of waiting for fifty conflicting comments, we’ve done the heavy lifting for you. Here are the latest verified, manually vetted independent trades to sign up to our
🛠️ PAINTER & DECORATOR – Sol's Decorating
• The Bio: From transforming tired interior walls to giving exterior brickwork a premium weather-proof finish, Sol brings top-tier precision and meticulous local craftsmanship to every job. No mess, no fuss, just a flawless finish.
Check Them Out: Give their page a follow and drop them a message here: Sols Decorating
𝛡 HOME CLEANING – SH Home Cleaning Services
• The Bio: If your home needs a proper, deep top-to-bottom scrub, the team at SH are here to save your weekend. They handle everything from regular domestic cleans to deep spring blitzes, leaving your house blindingly immaculate.
• Check Them Out: Give their page a follow and drop them a message here: SH Home Cleaning Services Facebook
🎉 PARTY PLANNER – Little Party Patch
• The Bio: Planning a birthday, a beach hut celebration, or a local milestone event? Little Party Patch takes the absolute stress out of hosting by providing stunning custom layouts, bespoke balloon arches, and magical party setups.
• Check Them Out: See their latest gorgeous designs and book your date here: Little Party Patch Facebook
🪟 WINDOW CLEANER – Rise n Shine
• The Bio: Don't let the salty sea air ruin your coastal views. Rise n Shine uses premium pure-water reach systems to leave your windows, frames, sills, and conservatory glass completely streak-free and sparkling.
• Check Them Out: Lock in your regular local round here: Rise n Shine Window Cleaning Facebook
Enjoy the island this weekend, wind, rain or shine!
Catch you next week for your Weekenders Island Time!
👋 Brought to you by Eat Shop Play Mersea
Excellent ,please keep it up !