The Boat House at Tides Reach

This newly built house stands just 400 feet from the beach on Mersea Island, with views across the water from the front. It sleeps four in two bedrooms: a double with an ensuite wet room on the ground floor, and twin single beds upstairs with a family bathroom. The open-plan living space has plenty of natural light filtered through plantation shutters, with a kitchen equipped for everyday cooking—oven, hob, microwave, dishwasher—and a separate dining area with Smart TV and DVD player.

Essentials like heating, electricity, bed linen, towels and wifi are provided. There is parking for one car on site, and a travel cot and highchair are available. One dog is welcome to stay at no extra charge; there's a verge outside for a quick walk, and the beach beyond for longer explorations. The property is non-smoking.

Mersea Island itself has seafood restaurants, pubs and tea rooms, plus shops and the distinctive painted beach huts the area is known for. Beyond eating and drinking, there's walking, cycling and sailing to occupy a visit. Cudmore Grove Country Park lies a short way south towards East Mersea if you prefer trees and open ground to sand and sea.