Secure your holiday for £20
T&Cs Apply
Icon/Navigation/Chevron/Left Back to search
1 of 32 View Image Gallery
  • A street view with a beige house and a red brick house by the waterfront at Ivy Cottage in Mersea Island
close
A street view with a beige house and a red brick house by the waterfront at Ivy Cottage in Mersea Island A street view with a house featuring a blue door and small porch at Ivy Cottage in Mersea Island The exterior entrance of a house with a blue door and paved area leading to a road with houses and greenery in the background at Ivy Cottage in Mersea Island A living room with a sofa and cushions a wooden chest coffee table a bookshelf a table with a television and large sliding glass doors overlooking a garden at Ivy Cottage in Mersea Island A living room with sofas a wooden chair a TV and glass sliding doors leading to a patio at Ivy Cottage in Mersea Island A living room with sofas, a wooden chest coffee table, a TV on a wooden desk, and large sliding glass doors opening to a garden at Ivy Cottage in Mersea Island A living room with sofas cushions wooden chest coffee table bookshelf and a television at Ivy Cottage in Mersea Island A kitchen with wooden cabinets a black oven a wooden island and a window with curtains at Ivy Cottage in Mersea Island A kitchen with wooden cabinets a gas stove countertop appliances and hanging utensils at Ivy Cottage in Mersea Island A kitchen with wooden furniture and a plate rack at Ivy Cottage in Mersea Island A kitchen corner with a wooden plate rack filled with plates a small wooden cabinet with drawers a painted blue bin with geese and a wicker basket at Ivy Cottage in Mersea Island A wooden cupboard with drawers and a wooden plate rack holding blue and white plates in a room at Ivy Cottage in Mersea Island A dining room with wooden table and chairs a sideboard and a sofa near a large window at Ivy Cottage in Mersea Island A dining room with a wooden table and chairs a sofa wooden cabinet with dishes and patterned floor at Ivy Cottage in Mersea Island A dining room with a round wooden table and chairs a wooden cabinet a sideboard a stone wall and sliding glass doors leading to a garden at Ivy Cottage in Mersea Island A carpeted staircase with wooden handrails next to an arched opening leading to a kitchen with a wooden counter and light wood cabinets at Ivy Cottage in Mersea Island A bedroom with a double bed with pillows and towels a bedside table a chest of drawers with a mirror and a window with curtains at Ivy Cottage in Mersea Island A bedroom with a bed towels pillows a window with curtains a wall light a framed picture and an open door showing a bathroom at Ivy Cottage in Mersea Island A bedroom with a bed with folded towels and an en suite bathroom with a toilet visible at Ivy Cottage in Mersea Island A bedroom with a bed and towels next to a built-in sink with a mirror and tiled wall at Ivy Cottage in Mersea Island A bedroom with two single beds a wooden table between the beds a bookshelf a green cabinet and floral curtains at Ivy Cottage in Mersea Island A bedroom with two single wooden beds, white bedding, a window with curtains, two framed pictures on the walls and a wooden dresser at Ivy Cottage in Mersea Island A bedroom with a wooden bed a drop-leaf table a wooden dresser with a mirror and a chair at Ivy Cottage in Mersea Island A bathroom with a sink and toilet under a window and a mirror above at Ivy Cottage in Mersea Island A shower area with glass door white tiles and a shower head with a handheld attachment at Ivy Cottage in Mersea Island A patio with a metal table and six chairs under a large umbrella next to a house with climbing plants at Ivy Cottage in Mersea Island A patio area with a metal table and six chairs under a large umbrella at Ivy Cottage in Mersea Island An outdoor patio with a metal table and six chairs under a large yellow umbrella at Ivy Cottage in Mersea Island An outdoor patio with a metal table and six chairs under a large yellow umbrella surrounded by greenery A decorative plaque with ivy leaves and the text Ivy Cottage on a blue wooden door at Ivy Cottage in Mersea Island A shoreline with a metal cage on the ground and boats in the water at Ivy Cottage in Mersea Island Boats covered and stored on land near a beach with water and other boats in the background at Ivy Cottage in Mersea Island

Ivy Cottage

(Ref. 1174659)

Mersea Island, Essex Show on map

Customer rating 4.0

How reviews work

A property's star rating is the average of the star ratings received from guests that wish for their review to be published

Sykes rating

  • 6 Guests

  • 3 Bedrooms

  • 1 Bathroom

  • Pets: No

Features

  • Off road parking
  • Garden / Patio
  • Highchair available
  • Pub/shop < 1 mile
  • Washing machine
  • Broadband / WiFi

Reviews & Ratings

Accuracy of the listing
Cleanliness
Comfort
Facilities and maintenance
  • All reviews
  • cottage (5)
  • kitchen (4)
  • well (4)
  • clean (3)
  • dated (3)
  • bed (3)

6 Customer Reviews

  • "Ivy Cottage is in a brilliant location, just a minute or so from the sea front with all the views, pubs, cafes and restaurants and of course, fabulous sunsets."

    It’s a 15 minute walk from a little Tesco, convenience shop and chemists. The location couldn’t be beaten. Parking for two cars was handy too. The cottage itself is certainly dated as others have noted, but it was clean and comfortable. It is like visiting your grandmother’s house, but that suited us fine! Downstairs was spacious with a nice dining area, comfy sitting room and well equipped kitchen. The downstairs bathroom had a lovely big shower with lots of hot water. The garden had a good seating area, though the rest was a jungle! The loo with the sliding door off the main bedroom caused much hilarity. It was rather smelly at times - just a note to the owners maybe the macerater needs attention? The stairs are steep if you need midnight trips downstairs. There are enough plates, cups and cutlery to stock a tea room. Lots of fascinating books. Things like crabbing lines were a nice touch. We had lots of fun and loved Mersea. So sad we had to leave the day before the round island race. Do visit Maldon if you are staying and Tiptree was fun too (if you like jam!). Thanks if it was you who put the rubbish out. We had it covered!

    Reviewed by Liz5.0★Sep 2026

  • "A beautiful cottage, a little dated in its deco yet it just added to its charm."

    I would definitely recommend it and hopefully go again soon. Great value for money and close to the sea.

    Reviewed by Sajida5.0★Apr 2026

  • "The cottage was comfortable but had an overall feeling of being uncared for."

    The lino in the. Kitchen was very worn and dated. The rack for the plates was very dusty. The "ENSUITE" upstairs was a cupboard. We were dissapointed that there were no recycling facilities provided by the host. We had to take our recycling home. We were there for Christmas, the cottage was well heated but some of the cooking pans were dirty. The cupboards needed sorting out. There were a lot of Cluster flies in the cottage, we let Sykes and the host know about this, it was Boxing Day, a fly spray was dropped round the next day. I think the cottage needs a deep clean and the kitchen reorganised, the modern shower was excellent, the beds and bedding were good.

    Reviewed by Greta2.0★Dec 2025

  • "It is great family sized, well equipped place to stay with a brilliant location within walking distance of the quay and pubs/shops."

    Reviewed by William4.0★Sep 2025

  • "Lovely old cottage liked everything about it apart from the heat."

    The heating was off yet the house was very warm and none of us slept through the night as too warm. The source of the heat seems to be under the kitchen floor. We could have done with fans in all rooms.

    Reviewed by Katie4.0★May 2025

  • "We loved our stay at Ivy cottage."

    The cottage is spacious and accomodated the six of us with ease. The kitchen is well equipped - we cooked several meals. The clean beds and bedding were appreciated. The back garden is beautiful - a bit like a secret garden! The books and games are great! The cottage can do with some maintenance though - extractors in bathrooms need to be fixed, the light in the passage, outside the downstairs bathroom, wasn't working. The under floor heating remained too warm even though the central heating was lowered. Outside the front entrance could do with a tidy up, as well as around the patio.

    Reviewed by Liezel4.0★Apr 2025

Show more Hide all

Summary

  • Three bedrooms: 1 x double with en-suite basin and WC, 2 x twin
  • Ground-floor shower room with walk-in shower, basin and WC
  • Kitchen
  • Dining room
  • Utility
  • Sitting room
  • Gas central heating
  • Electric oven, gas hob, microwave, fridge/freezer, washing machine, tumble dryer
  • TV and WiFi
  • Fuel and power inc. in rent
  • Bed linen and towels inc. in rent
  • Highchair available on request
  • Off-road parking for 2 cars
  • Enclosed rear garden with patio, furniture and small pond
  • Sorry, no pets and no smoking
  • Shop 0.7 miles, pub 0.1 miles, beach 1.4 miles
  • Note: Steep staircase, not suitable for those with limited mobility
  • Note: There is a pond in the garden, children must be supervised

The property

Ivy Cottage is a detached cottage, dating back to the 19th century, tucked away on the picturesque Mersea Island, Essex.

This traditional cottage is close to the beach for tons of seaside activities as well as being near lots of amenities, making it an ideal base for families or a group seeking a coastal holiday on Mersea Island.

After exploring local attractions, make yourself at home in the lounge, flicking on the TV and Amazon Fire stick, easing into the evening.

Take over the kitchen and prepare a hearty home-cooked dish, whilst the dining room offers a place to enjoy meals together.

Venture upstairs and discover the bedrooms, offering a double with a toilet and wash basin, and two twins.

Enjoy fresh mornings from the rear garden, offering a set of tables and chairs for alfresco breakfasts before you explore this beautiful island.

Known for its unspoiled landscapes, Mersea Island boasts stunning stretches of coastline on the River Blackwater Estuary, a Site of Special Scientific Interest, including beaches, marshes, and mudflats.

This location is therefore ideal for nature lovers and birdwatchers, as well as picnics on the beach, crabbing on the jetty, and all manner of water sports.

The cottage is situated close to eateries serving local seafood, including the world-famous Native oysters.

There are also cafés and pubs all within walking distance of the cottage.

At East Mersea, there is a vineyard and a country park with an adventure play area.

A little further afield are the villages of Flatford and Dedham, set in Constable Country, perfect for a stroll across the meadows or rowing on the River Stour.

Take a day trip to Colchester, where you can immerse yourself in local history at the 11th-century Colchester Castle, St John’s Abbey and St Botolph’s Priory.

Head to the bustling city of Ipswich, where you can shop 'til you drop at the bustling Butter Market or take a stroll through Holywells Park and admire the beautiful gardens and abundance of wildlife.

Break away from everyday life at Ivy Cottage.

Note: This property has a Good Housekeeping bond of £350.

Where you’ll be staying

View on map

MERSEA ISLAND

Colchester 9 miles; Ipswich 25 miles.

Around seven miles square, beautiful Mersea Island is one of the most easterly islands in the UK. The island enjoys an abundance of wildlife and is ideal for walkers, bird watchers and watersports lovers alike. The east of the island offers unspoiled, remote locations, filled to the brim with wildlife and home to lovely beaches, whilst the west enjoys a wide selection of shops, cafes, restaurants and watersports opportunities. The island is famous for its oysters, to be bought from huts or enjoyed in the local restaurants and is situated just nine miles from Colchester, a lovely town offering a castle, museums, a zoo, excellent sports and leisure facilities, a cinema, great shopping and good restaurants. A little further afield is Ipswich, with an excellent shopping centre and interesting places, including Christchurch Mansion, museums, galleries, and the trendy Waterfront marina with wine bars, restaurants and river boat trips. A fabulous Island, ideal for a holiday to remember.

This property offers the following short breaks:

  • Winter
  • Off-season
  • Last minute
  • Christmas
Flexible cancellation terms

If you cancel before midnight , get all of your money back:

  • Rent
  • Extras
  • Fees

excluding the Flexible Cancellation fee and any insurance premium.

There are a small number of circumstances where you can’t use Flexible Cancellation. See the Flexible Cancellation Terms that apply.

How we calculate the "Was" price

Our 'Was' price shows the average price for this property over the last 90 days, so you can see how today's price compares.