Dog Friendly ESSEX

Date visited: May 2021

Coronavirus status: Step 2 - Non-essential retail, most outdoor attractions and self-contained accommodation open. Hospitality venues serving outdoors only. 

Dog Friendly Camping and Caravanning in MERSEA

Waldegraves Holiday Park, West Mersea

Waldegraves Holiday Park is easily accessible with the caravan and the surrounding scenery as you drive onto Mersea Island towards the site are breath-taking.  The park is extremely dog friendly and offered a warm welcome to our four-legged friend on arrival. There is a special exercise and dog walking area where you can let your dog run off lead, although the vast, totally dog friendly beach is just a few feet away. 

There are loads of great walks to do from the park, although we preferred to go further afield with the bikes towing the furry one in her bike trailer.

Although we were unable to take advantage of it, Mersea Mutts offer dog training classes at the Park. You can book a private class or join one of the group classes or short courses covering everything from gundog training to lead walking and recall. They even have dog shows in the main field on occasion

Dogs are welcome throughout the Park so long as they are on a lead, but they are not permitted in the bar, restaurant, swimming pool or children’s play areas. There are some great benches outside both the restaurant and bar areas though where you can sit and enjoy a meal or a drink with your dog.

GOOD TO KNOW: There is no waste water drainage provided on your pitch, you’ll need your own grey tank.

Waldegraves Holiday Park, Waldegraves Lane, West Mersea, Colchester CO5 8SE

The Dog Friendly bits!

• Number of Dogs allowed : Up to 4 ✅
• Charge for Dogs : Yes (from £2 per night)
• Doggie Gift Bag : No 
• Poo bags provided : Yes, free of charge ✅
• Dog Bins available : Yes ✅
• Area for walking Dogs on site : Yes and off-lead - large grassed area close to and leading onto the beach ✅✅
• Dog Wash facilities : No 
• Onsite Dog Friendly Bar/Restaurant : Yes - outside only

Dogtor Livingsbone rating : PAWSOME :

Dog Friendly places to eat nearby

Bakeoffee, COLCHESTER

We were 13 miles into our cycle ride from Mersea when we discovered this little gem when we stopped at the traffic lights.  Struggling to find somewhere to put our two bikes and dog trailer, a great guy came to our aid and moved the tables around to accommodate us.  Once settled, we enjoyed a flat white with a delicious slice of Victoria sandwich and a toasted buttered tea cake - just what we needed and helped us to take on the remaining 20 miles of our journey! 

Bakeoffee, 211 Old Heath Road, Colchester CO2 8AY

Dog Friendly places to visit nearby

Colchester - Holds two ‘oldest’ titles - one for the oldest recorded city, the other for the oldest town walls in Britain

Fingringhoe - if you hear any very, very large explosions, then they will be coming from the Fingringhoe ranges.  Firing times can be viewed here 

Rowhedge - A small, traditional village with an intriguing history. There are loads of woodland and riverside walks to and from the village

The Hythe - Newly developed with residential accommodation, shops and restaurants. The main focal point is the TS Colne Lightship moored on King Edward Quay.

West Mersea Harbour - great place to sit eating takeaway fish and chips watching the sunset.

Wivenhoe - A small riverside town with a history of fishing and boat building. There are a number of attractive pubs, a small High Street with a collection of independent businesses and eateries as well as the Sentinel Art Gallery, and Nottage Museum.

Pet Shops, MERSEA

A Google search of “Pet Shops near me” produced the following:

• MERSEA FARM SHOP & Country Stores

Veterinary Surgeries, MERSEA

A Google search of ‘Veterinary Surgeries near me’ produced the following:

• Blackwater Vets

Dog Friendly Beaches, MERSEA

A Google search of ‘dog friendly beaches near me’ produced the following:

• Canvey Island - Thorney Bay
• Irlam's Beach
• Mersea Stone
• Osea Island
• St Osyth
• The Naze
• West Mersea

Dog Walks, MERSEA

A Google search of ‘dog walks near me’ produced the following:

• Visit Colchester - West Mersea Walks
• Cudmore Grove Country Park
• Fingringhoe Wick
• Mersea Stone Beach
• West Mersea Beach
• St. Osyth Beach

Cycle Routes, MERSEA

For cycle routes visit The National Cycle Network website HERE

Dog Friendly COLCHESTER, Essex | May 2021

PLEASE NOTE: When the canine calls, she’s there to test the meaning of dog friendly to the limit. Everything contained in this article is the view of the author and her furry canine friend.  The canine’s loyal master always pays their way and does not imply any recommendation. Although every effort has been made to ensure that all the information is correct, we can only apologise for any errors or omissions - we’re only human after all (well, one of us is!)