Meet Anthea
Mersea Barns has been part of my life for 10 years and it has certainly been an adventure! My ideas for the former PYO & nursery site could so easily have gone nowhere, but were taken seriously by my wider family and with their backing the process of turning ideas into reality began.
My attempts to wrestle the overgrown jungle in the early days were comical and the learning curve was steep from my former life as a primary school teacher and mother of 4; planning, design, materials, recruitment, regulations and so much more! However, a few people having faith in you, some help, advice and encouragement provided all the motivation needed to learn and take another step.
We’ve been open for nearly 7 years which seems unbelievable. It’s absolutely a team effort and you may not even know me as the person who greets you in the café or shop but there are many aspects to Mersea Barns and always much to work on. We added the glass room to the café in 2022, a covered, dog friendly space where parents could see their children in the play area. Private events on summer evenings became possible and it has been lovely to host the East Mersea Get Together, Wedding socials and BBQs.
You may not know it, but we have Glamping at Mersea Barns now too! 2 beautiful shepherd huts and 2 family sized safari tents. There’s so much space between them I use a wheelbarrow to carry the things I need when getting them ready for guests!
Perhaps you have visited for breakfast after Parkrun, has a Sunday Roast after walking the dog or popped in for lunch or cake? Did you know we have a monthly Parkinsons Group, Lynn’s Monthly Meet Up, Easter & Halloween kids’ events and even our own 5 & 10 K ‘Barns & Back’ run in aid of West Mersea Lifeboat and Herts & Essex Air Ambulance? Our shop offers a lovely selection of food & drink, gifts, books, children’s toys, art and more. Even better you can park outside!
If you haven’t visited, come and see for yourself what we have to offer!
