When most people think of Colchester, they picture its Roman walls, its bustling high street, or perhaps its zoo, one of the most popular in Britain. Few outside the Essex area immediately associate Colchester with beaches or sunsets. And yet, the coastal edges of Colchester, stretching out toward Mersea Island and Brightlingsea, offer some of the most unexpectedly breathtaking sunsets in the UK.
I discovered this rather accidentally one October, when I decided to explore beyond the obvious historical sites. October in England often gets dismissed as a grey, rainy transition month—too late for summer warmth, too early for Christmas sparkle. But October sunsets, especially on the Essex coast, have a muted magic of their own. The angle of the autumn light turns the horizon into a painter’s palette—burnt orange, soft lavender, deep indigo.
It was on one of these October evenings that I stood on West Mersea Beach and realised I had stumbled upon what I can only describe as a photographer’s secret goldmine: postcard-level sunsets framed by fishing boats, oyster sheds, and the gentle tide. And since then, I’ve made it my mission to revisit and write about Colchester’s coastal sunsets—both to capture them myself and to share with others who love travel, photography, and those perfect little windows of natural beauty.
This guide is more than just a list of locations; it’s my personal reflection on hours spent with sand beneath my shoes, waiting for the right light, camera in hand, heart completely stilled by the horizon.
West Mersea Beach: The Crown Jewel of Colchester’s Sunsets
If you only have time for one sunset in Colchester, make it West Mersea Beach, located on Mersea Island, about a 20–30 minute drive from central Colchester.
Location and Access
Mersea Island is Britain’s most easterly inhabited island, connected to the mainland by a causeway called “The Strood.” At high tide, this causeway can be covered by water, so always check tide times before driving. The island splits into East Mersea and West Mersea; for sunsets, West Mersea is the clear winner, with its orientation toward the west.
The beach itself is dotted with colorful beach huts—those quintessentially British pastel-painted wooden boxes—which line the sand like a row of cheerful guardians. When the sun drops behind the horizon, the silhouettes of these huts become an irresistible composition for any photographer.
The Atmosphere
I remember my first October evening on West Mersea Beach vividly. The tide was halfway out, revealing dark, glistening mudflats. Small fishing boats rested awkwardly on their sides, waiting for water to return. Gulls wheeled lazily above, their cries softened by the thickening evening air. And then, slowly, the entire western sky began to ignite.
Orange bled into crimson, crimson into purple, and the flatness of the Essex estuary meant there was nothing to interrupt the horizon. No mountains, no skyscrapers—just a vast, open sky. I felt like I was standing at the edge of the world, yet only half an hour from a bustling town centre.
Best Photography Tips
- Arrive early: About an hour before sunset is best. The light changes quickly, and you’ll want time to find your spot.
- Foreground interest: Use the beach huts, boats, or oyster baskets in your composition. These are unique to Mersea and add personality to your shots.
- Golden hour vs blue hour: Don’t leave immediately after the sun dips; the afterglow can sometimes be even more striking.
- Equipment: A tripod is useful, especially in October when the light fades faster.
Costs and Practicalities
- Parking: West Mersea car parks are usually around £2–4 for a few hours.
- Entrance fee: None—the beach is free.
- Food nearby: Don’t miss The Company Shed, a rustic seafood hut famous for its oysters and seafood platters. It’s BYOB (bring your own bread and wine), and you’ll need to book in advance.
Brightlingsea Beach: A Quieter Alternative
If West Mersea is vibrant and colorful, Brightlingsea Beach is its quieter cousin. Located about 10 miles southeast of Colchester, Brightlingsea is a small seaside town with a crescent-shaped beach, a long promenade, and a charming old-fashioned feel.
Location and Access
Brightlingsea lies on the River Colne estuary, and the beach itself curves gently, with brightly painted beach huts of its own. The promenade extends toward Bateman’s Tower, an 1880s octagonal tower that adds a historical silhouette to sunset photos.
The Atmosphere
Brightlingsea has a softer mood than West Mersea. On my October visit, I remember the air smelled of seaweed and salt, the water gently lapping against the sea wall. There were fewer people, mostly dog walkers and couples. The sun dipped behind the marshes, casting long golden reflections across the wet sand.
I felt a sense of solitude here. West Mersea felt like a stage; Brightlingsea felt like a whispered secret.
Photography Tips
- The Promenade: Great for leading lines in photos.
- Bateman’s Tower: Position this historic tower against the glowing sky.
- Tide-dependent shots: At low tide, the wet sands mirror the sky, doubling the colors.
Costs and Practicalities
- Parking: About £2–3 for several hours.
- Food nearby: Try No1 Harbour Square, a cozy café/restaurant with fresh seafood.
- Crowds: Fewer than Mersea, making it a good choice if you prefer calm.
East Mersea Beach and Cudmore Grove
For those who like their sunsets mixed with history and nature, East Mersea’s Cudmore Grove Country Park is perfect. This coastal park sits at the eastern tip of Mersea Island, with grassy fields, cliffs, and a small sandy beach.
Location and Access
Cudmore Grove is managed by Essex County Council, with a small entrance/parking fee. It’s best reached by car; buses are less frequent.
The Atmosphere
This spot is different again: instead of rows of beach huts, you get open fields leading down to the sea. Birdwatchers often gather here, especially in autumn when migratory birds rest in the marshes. The sunset feels wilder here, less domesticated.
When I visited in October, I sat on a wooden bench overlooking the estuary. The horizon seemed endless, and the sound of geese honking overhead mixed with the gentle hush of waves. The colors were less fiery than West Mersea but softer, more painterly.
Photography Tips
- Include nature: Trees, birds, and grassy dunes can all frame your shots.
- Silhouette photography: The open field makes it easy to photograph people or objects as silhouettes against the sky.
- Tripod again: Especially useful for dusk wildlife photography.
Costs and Practicalities
- Parking: £4–5 per car.
- Entrance: Free to walk around once inside.
- Food: No café on site; bring snacks.
Other Sunset Spots Around Colchester
While Mersea and Brightlingsea are the highlights, you can also catch great skies at:
- Alresford Creek: A hidden estuary near Wivenhoe, great for quiet, reflective shots.
- Rowhedge: A riverside village with pubs where you can sit outside and watch the sky change colors.
- Wivenhoe Quay: University of Essex students often gather here; it has a bohemian charm.
Booking Platforms and Practical Information
Traveling in the UK can be pricey, but booking platforms make it manageable. Here’s what I personally recommend:
- Transport:
- Trains: Use Trainline (trainline.com) to book Colchester-bound trains from London (about 50 minutes from Liverpool Street).
- Coaches: National Express (nationalexpress.com) often has cheaper fares.
- Flights: Skyscanner (skyscanner.net) remains my go-to for finding flights into London Stansted (closest airport).
- Accommodation:
- Booking.com and Airbnb both offer good options in Colchester.
- For seaside charm, look at local B\&Bs in Mersea like The Victory at Mersea.
- Restaurants and food:
- TripAdvisor is still reliable for restaurant reviews in Colchester.
- OpenTable (opentable.co.uk) is useful for pre-booking nicer dinners in town.
- Tickets for attractions:
- GetYourGuide (getyourguide.com) and Tiqets (tiqets.com) often list Colchester Zoo, Colchester Castle, and other attractions.
Personal Reflections: Why These Sunsets Matter to Me
Travel writing often risks becoming formulaic: lists, costs, tips. But sunsets demand more honesty.
Every time I stand on Mersea Beach in October, I’m reminded of the smallness of my worries. The tide erases footprints, the sky shifts without asking for applause, and the world feels briefly aligned. For a blogger like me, chasing content is often about the next “Instagrammable” moment. But Colchester sunsets taught me to pause, to wait, to appreciate light itself.
In West Mersea, surrounded by locals eating fish and chips from paper, I felt less like a tourist and more like a participant in something timeless. In Brightlingsea, I felt solitude that was comforting, not lonely. In Cudmore Grove, I felt connected to nature in a way I hadn’t since childhood.
Travel Tips: How to Make the Most of Your Sunset Trip
- Check tide times: Especially for Mersea, or you risk being stranded.
- Dress warmly: October evenings by the coast can be windy and cold. Layers are key.
- Bring snacks and drinks: Not every location has food nearby.
- Stay after sunset: The best colors often arrive 20–30 minutes later.
- Respect locals: Many of these beaches are still used for fishing and oyster farming. Be mindful.
The Hidden Beauty of Colchester’s Coast
Colchester may be Britain’s oldest recorded town, but it also holds some of its most underrated sunsets. West Mersea, Brightlingsea, East Mersea—they each offer something distinct, yet all share that extraordinary light.
If you’re a photographer, bring your best lens. If you’re a traveler, bring patience and an open heart. And if you’re simply someone craving a moment of peace, come as you are. These sunsets don’t demand perfection; they simply gift beauty to anyone willing to look.
For me, Colchester’s sunsets became more than just photographs. They became postcards of memory, each one reminding me why I travel, why I write, and why even in the grey month of October, England can surprise me with its quiet brilliance.
