Essex ferry trip around pretty coastal town named one of the best in Britain

A ferry trip around Brightlingsea and its nearby Mersea Island coastline has been named one of Britain’s best ways to see the country by boat. The Telegraph highlighted the Brightlingsea to East Mersea and Point Clear route, with services operating from Brightlingsea Harbour from April to September. It runs seven days a week with schedules adapting for low, mid and high seasons, and online booking is essential in the off-season to guarantee crossings, while mid- and high-season bookings take priority over non-booked passengers. The 12-passenger foot ferry also carries bicycles, buggies and dogs, emphasizing family-friendly access. The voyage to Point Clear covers about nine miles; a crossing to Mersea Island is roughly 20 miles and takes about nine minutes by ferry. Passengers enjoy a simple beach, a row of colorful beach chalets and a busy harbour of power boats and yachts, all cited as part of Brightlingsea’s charm. The route calls at Point Clear, with a walk along the St Osyth sea wall and a visit to a Martello Tower aircraft museum, before crossing the estuary to East Mersea and its sandy spots at Cudmore Grove Country Park. Tickets are available online via the Brightlingsea Harbour website or app, and Visit Brightlingsea notes further local attractions and nature experiences.