The White Hart Inn – Mersea Island, Essex

This pub with rooms reopened after a nine-year closure in June 2022 following a seven month refurbishment. It is part of the same family as The Sun Inn, Dedham and Church Street Tavern, Colchester. It sits on England’s most easterly inhabited island, opposite the church green and minutes from the beach. Six cosseting, colourful rooms (one has a sea view, others look over the green) all have super king beds, huge walk-in showers and contemporary local art. The seasonally changing menu features local ingredients: oysters and seafood, fruit and vegetables grown on the island and meat from East Anglia. Highlights are Dover sole with nori and mussel sauce, swede and carrot agnoletti, wild duck with mulberries and Sunday roasts. Lighter dishes include a stunning seafood platter. Relax in the snug or head out to explore, from beach strolls to a circuit of the island (around four hours), boat trips to watersports and bird watching. Do check the hotel website before setting off – high tide cuts the island off from the mainland once a day.

Doubles from £150

+44 (0)1206 583212; whitehartinnmersea.co.uk

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