The Mersea Island Museum is an independent museum established in 1976 and occupying purpose-built premises in the centre of West Mersea, just to the east of the Parish Church. The traditional local activities of fishing, oystering, wild fowling and boat building are represented. The reconstruction within the museum of a typical weather-boarded fisherman's cottage provides an interior display centred on a Victorian coal-fired kitchen range, with adjoining facilities for washing clothes using old-fashioned manual equipment. Children are welcome, with puzzles and quizzes available. More details

Winter Programme
The Museum Summer exhibition has now closed and the Museum will re-open to visitors 2nd May 2012. However, the Resource Centre and Shop will be open fortnightly on Saturdays 10am to 3pm and there is a winter programme of events taking place in the Museum. See Events for more detail.

Where to find us: Mersea Island is on the Essex coast, about 9 miles South of Colchester on the B1025.
The museum is in West Mersea - follow the main road through the village to the High Street and down as far as the parish church. Turn left in front of the church to reach the entrance gates of the museum.
Show local map or Link to Multimap (in a new window).
If you come on the bus (First National 67 from Colchester), the museum is a short walk straight ahead from the terminus.

Opening hours:

2pm to 5pm Weekends and weekdays Wednesday to Friday inclusive (also Bank Holiday Mondays). The Museum exhibition is open for the summer months and is now closed. The Resource Centre is open on Saturdays fortnightly through the winter - see Events for details. School and Group visits can be organised outside the normal hours during the season - see School and Group Visits.

Admission Charges:	ADULTS	£1.00
	SENIOR CITIZENS	50p
	CHILDREN	50p (under 5 years old are free)

Collections: Local history, social history, natural history and geology, local photographs, oral history, family history, parish records, marine, John Leather Memorial Collection, engineering and costume.

Facilities: Activities for children, Audio Guides, Disabled Access, Disabled Parking, Shop

Shop: The Museum Shop has a varied selection of books, postcards, souvenirs and mementos.

Guided History Walks in West Mersea: Tours start and finish at the Museum. Saturday afternoons at 2.30pm during the summer season. Tickets available from the Museum on the day.

Access Statement: Our Access Statement gives more about access to the Museum.

Helping the Museum: You can help Mersea Museum by becoming a member, volunteering, joining the 100 Club or just by a Donation. See About Us for more information.