Coast Road Heritage & Arts Trail
Weaving History and Art Together
Mersea Heritage Workboats, Mersea Museum, Mersea Art Collective are pleased to announce that our major celebration of Mersea Island’s maritime heritage is to continue into the Autumn 2026
Thank you for joining us as we explored from the far end of the Coast Road at the Old City to the Mersea Museum over the May Bank Holiday and we really hope that you enjoyed as much as we all did.
Starting at the Mersea Museum where they hosted the Mersea Collective’s Open Studio and their own Summer Exhibition, to Wyatts Gallery where we held an exhibition of the Mersea Boatbuilding Heritage of William Wyatt.
Alongside the boats, the weekend featured exhibitions, open artist studios, storytelling, and musical performances — all celebrating the rich maritime identity that continues to shape Mersea’s creative and community life.
And then there was the washing line, the most photographed element of the weekend, even a poem has been written which we will be sharing with you.
So the weaving of heritage and arts will continue right through the Autumn because we thought when something was this amazing why stop there, we know there is so much more we can share.
We meet once a fortnight at the Mersea Museum on a Tuesday morning from 10:30 to 12:30 for a coffee, cakes and a mull over, all are very welcome to join us.
We never quite know where the conversations will take us next…
AUGUST
GOWENS @ WYATTS
12 | 08 | 2026 - 16 | 08 | 2026
Sharing the story of Gowens and the people who have played an important part in this iconic Coast Road business.
Stretching over 120 years, so many local families have a connection to Gowans.
We welcome you to join us with your recollections of The Gowen’s Sailloft at Wyatts Gallery.
The Sail Loft will be opening their doors to welcome visitors to see for themselves how they lay out the cloth and construct vast yards of material into sails.
SEPTEMBER
NATIVE
01 | 09 | 2026 - 30 | 09 | 2026
A Celebration of the Mersea Native.
From the Annual Dredging Match and racing in the beautiful heritage working boats to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the Tollesbury & Mersea Native Oyster Co. to talks by the oystermen and makers of the Mersea Oyster Tendle.
Tendle Exhibition and demonstration at Museum 5 & 6 Sept
Colne Barge and Oyster Smack Match 5th Sept
Mersea Dredging Match 6th Sept
Naive and Native - An Exhibition of Leslie French's work 12th & 13th September
Shell Workshop at the Museum 12th/13th Sept
Salt & Oyster Smack & Bumpkin Relay match 19th Sept
A Oysterman's Story - Ted Wolfe’s Quay tbc
Oyster Challenge Race 26th September
The Making of a Patchwork Sail Project launch 27th September in Wyatts
Portrait of a Native - Exhibition in Wyatts 25/26/27 September
OCTOBER
WOMEN OF THE TIDE
01 | 10 | 2026 - 31 | 10 | 2026
A month long exploration into the lives of the women who have had an impact on the lives of those connected to Coast Road. Wyatt’s Gallery will be hosting an exhibition during this time of pieces that inspire conversation and memories and of course more stories.
Women of the Tide Exhibition at Wyatts 10th - 18th October
A study of Mehalah - an academic study & discussion Weekly throughout October tbc
Our Women of the Tide & their stories - Drop in and share at Museum tbc
Creative Writing Workshop at the Museum tbc
Celebrating the lives of the women who have had an impact on those connected to Coast Road. Wyatt’s Gallery will be hosting an exhibition during this time of pieces that inspire conversation and memories and of course more stories.
Women of the Tide Exhibition at Wyatts 10th - 18th October
A study of Mehalah - an academic study & discussion Weekly throughout October tbc
Our Women of the Tide & their stories - Drop in and share at Museum tbc
Creative Writing Workshop at the Museum tbc
THE COAST ROAD HERITAGE & ARTS TRAIL 2026 ROUNDUP
24 | 10 | 2026 - 25 | 10 | 2026
An exhibition at Mersea Museum showcasing the heritage and art of the project. This is an opportunity to share the stories and friendships that have made along the Trail.
Step into the Trail once again and see where it might take us in the future.
Join us for a cup of tea and refreshments as we hopefully carry on our quest to learn more of the lives of the families that have played a part in our Island’s history and those that are still keeping alive the skills of the past.
NOVEMBER
WEAVING HERITAGE & ART EXHIBITION
14 | 11 |2026 - 15 | 11 | 2026
The Mersea Arts Collective are heading up this celebration of the art that has been inspired by The Coast Road Heritage & Art Trail projects.
From paintings, photography, music, poetry, pottery and stain glass to sign writing and rope work, art has been an incredible inspiration to the sharing of the heritage of Coast Road.
This will be a showcase showing how we have weaved art through the heritage we hold so dear.
The Mersea Arts Collective https://www.merseaislandarttrail.co.uk/
This will be a lovely opportunity to find handmade Christmas gifts that reflect the island we all call home.
MERSEA’S HERITAGE BOATS
Over the past year Essex Heritage Workboats have been hosting The EHWB Mersea Hub at the Mersea Museum to explore the stories behind the boats connected to Mersea. We have identified nearly 50 boats that were built to work and still exist.
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Ino CK109 1926
Lizzie n/k
Jinny CK14 11948
Silver Spray CK163 1949
Golden Chance CK166 1949
Spray CK135 1958
Mersea Native CK94 1960
Native-1920
Betty Mary-
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Gipsy CK79 1930
Boy George CK28 1931
Mystery CK59 c.1900
Lilian CK19 c.1900
Marie CK22 c.1900
Alice c.1900
Bumble c.1895
Pyefleet c.1950
Jack CK91 1920
Winnie CK98 1922
Wheezy Anna CK88 1925
Genesta c1928
Ally Lump
Oyster
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Our Boys 92CK 1911
Boadicea CK213 1808
Mayflower CK44 1887
Dorothy CK159 1889
Gracie CK46 1890
Peace CK171 1910
Puritan CK395 1892
Hyacinth CK256 1900
Electron CK36 1909
G&A CK76 1909
Ida CK3 1876
Phantom CK437 1897
Primrose CK273 1892
Priscilla CK437 1893
Skylark MN4 1877
Sybil CK349 1901
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Alberta 318CK 1888
Ethel Alice CK476 1897
Kate CK52 1883
MarthaII MN69 1876
Mayfly CK363 1875
Mary CK78 1850
Florrie May 1911
Sunbeam CK328 1881
THE COAST ROAD PHOTO TRAIL
the white hart c.1914
Early bus, taxi and charabanc outside the White Hart in Mersea. The fleet is thought to have been owned by the White Hart. Postcard sent to Miss M.E. Went, from ‘Mother’, posted 1914. Arthur Went was landlord of the White Hart for several years.
molly kennel’s bookshop
Molly was the owner of the oyster smack HYACITH CK256 for many years. Her son Brian was to go on to have a successful trade as a boatbuilder which included the complete rebuild of the PIONEER Class 1 Smack.
coast road c.1900
Taken near the beginning of last century, from Church Road. The only building in Coast Road is the pair of weatherboard cottages opposite St Peter’s Well. (Still there although much improved.) The Pullen Family lived there, and worked on the Market Garden owned by the people living in Yew Tree House. 12 members of the Pullen Family were born there.
waverley hotel c.1912
The Waverley Hotel, West Mersea. Coast Road. Postcard mailed 16 October 1912, to Mrs R. Burgess, The Chase, West Mersea. Now known as Coast House, restored in the mid 1970’s to its former glory.
coastguard station c.1909
Coast Road - Coastguard hut and mast for signalling to Tollesbury, as seen from the beach. The Waverley Hotel is on the right. The house to the left of the flagpole is Ivy Dene. Postcard mailed 27 September 1909 to Miss N.H. Smith, Station Road, Great Bentley, from Gran.
the barometer c.1924
‘Billy Oak’ Hewes and Titus Mussett. Billy was Harry Mussett’s great grandfather and was named ‘Oak’ after the smack. The picture shows the barometer in the wall by The Square on Coast Road - the wall and case are still there, but the barometer has gone. Titus Mussett is holding an oyster tendle. The name on Bill Oak Hewes’ jersey is NANCY, RHYC.
rosebank house c.1920
Built early 1900’s and owned by George Edgar Roberts who lived there until the 1940’s. It was demolished in early 1960’s.
houseboats c.1926
Houseboat LA NOISETTE at West Mersea early 1920s. The boat was owned by Charles Simpson Mason, born 1860 and died 1926. It is thought she then became the MARSH VIEW, owned by Dora Clift. The boat was near the bottom of Hove Hill, probably with the houseboat MAUREEN between it and the road. Charles Simpson Mason ran a Tea Importing Business in Ipswich.
the victory public house c.1940
Victory Hotel on Coast Road, with its dance hall. The dance hall was burnt down 9 August 1941 as recorded in Mary French’s diary of 1941.
burma road boatyard c.1964
Burma Road Boatyard as it’s known locally at the bottom of Victory Road and Coast Road. The Phone box is long gone, The sailing barge ARROW is laid up for the winter. She was owned by the Barge Club based now in Maldon.
dukes oyster shed c.1955
Douglas Mussett, a well known oysterman used to sell his catch from this shed which was known as “Dukes” due to a local story that the American film star John Wayne, known as Duke, visited Mersea Island and knew Douglas. He owned MARIE CK22 who can still be seen racing in local regattas.
stags head oyster fishery co. c.1940
The oysterman George Stoker of West Mersea before the ‘office’ of the Stags Head Oyster Fishery Company. A wartime picture - there is barbed wire in the foreground. The bumpkin CK28 BOY GEORGE was built for George Stoker and named after his son George, who was killed 1941 when HMS VAN MEERLANT was mined.
the sailing & social club c.1930
Sailing and Social Club on Coast Road. This was its original position. Following a fire, it was rebuilt further back. Today the new building is known as The Coast Inn however many still refer to it as the Soc n’ Sail.
the oyster pits c.1910
After a days fishing. Oyster pits at West Mersea. Shows the French family. L-R Tom French, Arthur ‘Snoggie’ French (28), Herbert Thomas French Waters (15)
clarke & carter c.1950
Clarke & Carters was a very busy boatyard in those days with slipways opposite. Yachts would be hauled over the road and stored in the big shed for winter storage and the slipway would be full of boats.With a spar shop above the workshop at 110.
west mersea lifeboat c.1985
Back row (L-R) Albert Clarke, Peter French, Patrick Hill, Wally Daniels, John French, William Baker, Jonathan French, Diggle Haward, Peter Clarke, David Baccon, Steve Graham, Leeroy Copping, Ian Crossley, Sue Griffin, Tony Purnell, Matthew Haward.
Front row Simon Broadhurst, Murray Graham’s boy ?, Richard Taylor, Clive Pickering, David Mills, Brian Jay, Jim Clarke, Terence Smith.
journey’s end c.1920
Mrs Mary Josephine Condon and Mrs Rhona Keenlyside at gate at what is now the West Mersea Yacht Club. Journey’s End, Coast Road, West Mersea was built c1908, It became the West Mersea Yacht Club from 1934.
bentley’s oyster fishery co. ltd. c.1952
Unloading oysters on West Mersea Hard. Baskets are marked with ‘B’ which stands for Bentley’s oysters. Bentley’s Oyster Specialists, Piccadilly, London W.1. Suppliers to principal hotels, restaurants, clubs and private parties. Bentley’s Oyster Fishery Co. Ltd. Coast Road, their shed was formerly the Stags Head Oyster Company.
petrol pumps at the hard c.1960
Home to Jim & Lil Clarke. Jim is well known for his engineering and has a long association with many vessels that have called Mersea their home. His workshop in the Lane behind his brother Peter’s boatyard was always busy with the latest project. Next door is now the home of the Blackwater Pearl known as Fleetwood Stores previously.
top of the causeway c.1950
Top of the Causeway. Coast Road and the Hard, West Mersea.
the legend c.1940
The shed was known as the Legend and could be floated to anywhere required on the Hard. ‘Brassy’ Mussett is seen with hands on hips, who, with his brother ‘Cadder’, also retailed oysters in their shop in the High Street. The shed was given the name Legend by Baring-Gould, who said it had been there for so long it had become a legend.
peter clarke’s boatyard c.1960
The shed was erected in 1960 for Clarkes & Carters. Eventually Peter Clarke took the site on and it became known as Peter Clarke’s Boatyard. They recently welcomed the fourth generation working alongside them is Zak and Harry Clarke who are embarking on their own marine endeavours.
wyatts shed c.1955
The ageing William decided to relinquish some responsibility and the business became a Limited Company with his nephew Edward Wyatt, his first wife’s nephew H. Frederick Cutts and his son Harold as co-directors. William continued to visit the yard frequently and took his pint at the Social and Sailing Club or The Victory with old friends and past clients.
gowens sailmakers c.1930
Sail-makers, riggers, ship-chandlers & upholsterers. Coal and Corn-sack, Rick-cloth & tent manufacturers. Gowen’s had sites in Mersea and Tollesbury at this time. This building was to be become the office for Wyatts.
wm wyatt chandlery c.1965
Harold Cutts outside chandlery shop of Wm Wyatt Ltd. William Wyatt completed his last punt in 1950 aged 85 and was set afloat in her when she was launched,. Soon after he passed on and the waterside missed his daily appearance. The firm continued to build, repair and maintain yachts and boats but gradually, during the 1960s its interests became concentrated towards providing a comprehensive chandlery, which continues under the name William Wyatt Ltd.
gowen sailmakers c.1960
The New Gowen Sailmakers Building. Gowen’s founded a sailmakers in Tollesbury and a similar business in Coast Road Gowen (West Mersea) Ltd. This was a firm of sailmakers and outfitters whose products became internationally renowned.
alice reed’s shop c.1960
Alice Reed née Hewes was Owen’s grandmother. Alice used the shop when Owen’s great grandfather John Hewes died - he originally kept the shop in a room of his cottage. [ Owen Fletcher ] John Hewes would not sell cigarettes to women. It was against his principles to encourage women to smoke. He sent them up the road to Sid Hewes who kept a sweet and cigarette shop near the causeway.
the old city c.1930
Girls with pram on Coast Road with the Lane and the Old Victory beyond them. The site on the left was where The Tollesbury & Mersea Native Oyster Co built their office. Later to become the Company Shed.
washing line c.1954
Washing on the Village Green was a common sight in the Old City. This was a tradition that carried on for many years. It’s an ancient custom down at the Old City, West Mersea every Monday morning. For a century at least washing has been hung out among the boats on the hard.
the old victory c.1905
In the centre of Mersea City was its inn, the Old Victory, now a private house. Previously it had been the Leather Bottle, and old Mrs De Witt consoled herself there with a glass of rum. The Old City with the Victory centre left and Cornerways on the right at the bottom of the Lane. Cornerways was later reduced in height. The signwriting on the front of the Victory is Colchester Brewing Company, Fine ales and stout, wines and spirits. W. Trim proprietor.
william wyatts shed c.1930
Thomas Wyatt died in 1899 and William became the ‘Mr Wyatt’ at the waterside for the remainder of his long life. By then smaller yachts began to frequent West Mersea in summer and gradually a few were moored there. The Wyatt yard attended to their needs and increasingly laid up several each winter in mud berths on the foreshore, tended by William and his few helpers.
the old city c.1910
L-R: William Nice, Jack Owen, Margaret Owen, Liz Owen, Arthur Owen, Frank Nice
bert cudmore’s shop c.1950
Bert Cudmore shop, 148 Coast Road, The Old City. Many people have memories of there being a little shop round the back of the Dabchicks.
the nothe c.1950
The home to the fishermen of the island for many years, this row of cottages are tucked around the corner. It is also known as Cooper’s Quay because there was a barrel maker here that made the barrels for the oysters.
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the white hart
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molly kennel’s bookshop
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the barometer
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the sailing & social club
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clarke & carter
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west mersea lifeboat
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petrol pumps at the hard
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wm wyatt chandlery
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alice reed’s shop
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the old city
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washing line
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waterside
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monkey steps
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bill french
