Camping & Caravanning

Fen Farm Caravan Site

Fen Farm Caravan and Camping Site is ideal for people looking for a quiet family retreat. It is situated by the sea and close to a country park in a small village on Mersea Island . There are 90 fully serviced static owner occupied caravans on the park, as well as plenty of room for tourers, tents or motorhomes of any size.

The Farm has been owned by the Lord family since 1918 and the first tents were pitched in 1923, so the park has grown rather than been developed. There are 90 fully serviced static owner occupied caravans on the park, as well as plenty of room for tourers, tents or motorhomes of any size.

Tranquil Atmosphere

With no club and no pool, people who go to Fen Farm do so for the tranquil atmosphere and children often surprise themselves by finding an occupation that does not involve anything being switched on or booted up! There are always the play areas with swings, seesaws, climbing frames etc. In addition to this children enjoy ‘crabbing’ in the creeks, playing on the beach or in the sea. They also have an open field for ball games, flying kites or just walking the dog.

Wildlife at Fen Farm

Fen Farm have been awarded the David Bellamy Gold Conservation Award for the work they have done to protect the environment in and around the campsite.

The campsite is ideal for people with an interest in wildlife as Cudmore Grove Country Park is very close by and is one of the best nature reserves in Essex. If you are lucky enough to meet the ranger, Dougal, and he has some time to spare, he can point out the geese, flocks of golden plovers and widgeons that regularly graze on the fields behind.

At the highest cliffs on the island, a mere fifteen feet, fallen oaks litter the beach below, signifying their retreat by a metre a year. The river gravel in the low cliffs is 300,000 years old and is the site where bones of elephant tusk, narrow-nosed rhino, bears and giant deer were discovered early last century.

A local keen Birdwatcher has kindly given us some pictures of birds he has taken around the site and in East Mersea. They are displayed in the reception. He was also kind enough to write the following:-

“Fen Farm is the ideal location for the birdwatcher or Nature lover to stay. Situated on the east of the island and with easy access to the beach, Country Park and footpaths its great for the beginner and expert alike. It’s often a pit stop for nearly arrived migrants in the spring and autumn, which are often found in the hedges and scrub around the caravan park and surrounding areas. Waders can be seen feeding along the shingle beach and on the mudflats as the tide recedes, A swooping Marsh harrier or a Peregrine Falcon are always a familiar sight disrupting these flocks as they scurry along the beach feeding like clock work toys.

Over the years this area has produced some great rarities for the twitcher, with species such as Broad-billed Sandpiper, Bluethroat, Penduline tit and Glossy Ibis to name all but a few being seen. Abberton and Fingringhoe nature reserves are also within easy reach and these Essex wildlife trust reserves are renowned for producing Good rarities. The Naturalist will enjoy this place as much as nature itself. Fen farm has given me so many birdwatching pleasures. So Why not book a holiday today and enjoy this David Bellamy conservation award, Holiday Park for yourself.”

Award Winning Loos!

The toilet block was designed with conservation in mind with solar powered water heating (backed up with gas when necessary). Sun pipes provide light in the daytime. They have been awarded Platinum from the Loo of the Year awards since 2010. An important part of the block is the wheelchair accessible toilet and shower, as well as the family toilet and shower room. There is also a laundry room with coin operated washing machines, tumble driers and iron along with a freezer for ice blocks and sinks for washing up.

Bring your Dog on Holiday too

Dogs are welcome and there are dog walks, with bins, all around the park. There are also many footpath walks nearby as well as a dog friendly beach. (Maximum 3 dogs per unit)

Food and Drink

Mersea is famous for Oysters and no trip to Mersea would be complete without a visit to either the famous Company Shed or The Oyster Bar to sample this local delight.

The ‘Dog & Pheasant’ public house is a few minutes walk, and serves food most of the time. In West Mersea there a number of pubs selling food and the Art Cafe where you can grab a coffee or lunch.

Mersea Island vineyard with its Courtyard cafe is within a few miles, where you can sample wine and beer made on the Island along with lunch or a piece of cake.

If you don’t fancy cooking and want to stay in, some local takeaways will deliver to the site including Chinese, Indian and Pizza. If you want to cook, then Cocks Butchers, Island Supermarket, The Mixing Bowl Delicatessen and The Co-op and all have local produce available.

Geocaching on Mersea

For the Geocachers amongst you, there are nearly 20 caches on the Island itself and over 500 within 10 miles of the site.

DIRECTIONS

Take the B1025 to Mersea Island. Left fork, follow road to Dog and Pheasant public house. First turning on right to Fen Farm.

Click on Fen Farm Caravan Site website link for more information

Fen Farm Caravan Site

Fen Farm Caravan Site

Moore Lane

East Mersea

Colchester

Essex

CO5 8FE