About The Packing Shed
The Packing Shed is an old restored oyster packing shed in the Blackwater estuary
just off Mersea Island -10 miles south of Colchester, Essex, UK
The Packing Shed Description
The Packing Shed was originally built around 1890 on the island in Thornfleet Creek, which came to be called Packing Marsh Island, by the Tollesbury & Mersea Native Oyster Fishery Company Limited. By 1987, after the hurricane, the shed had deteriorated so much it was barely a skeleton. After much effort and hard work the Packing Shed was re-opened in 1992 for the benefit of the local community, and is available for functions. Five Open Days are held each year.
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Volunteers are opening the Packing Shed on Wednesday 17th April ready for the season. First Open Day is Sunday 19th May and boats start at 12.00hrs
Packing Shed when it’s a really high tide.
Happy New Year Bookings are now being taken for 2019Happy New Year Bookings are now being taken for 2019
Thanks for the photo.
To all our visitors and the new ones thinking of joining us on our magical island we will see you all next year.
To help you look forward to summer days, here are the dates of the Packing Shed Open days (with cream teas) for 2019! Sunday May 19th Saturday June 22nd Sunday July 7th Sunday 21st July... Sunday 18th August Saturday 14th September. More details to follow but just a chance to get the dates in your diaries
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Thinking of a special present for those who love Mersea Island? How about a beautiful Packing Shed poster designed by local artist Tom Knight and available for just £10. For your copy either pm me (and I will deliver) or pop along to no4 Yorick Road and see the delightful Cathy, who will happily sell you one.
GOOD NEWS! We are holding another Open Day to replace the one that was cancelled due to bad weather. WHEN:Sunday September 9th from 12 noon until 4.00 pm COST: £6 for adults - cream tea. £3 children squash & biscuits. MEET: end of Hammerhead to board orange launches... No need to book just come and join us for a lovely day out to celebrate Mersea's oyster heritage and enjoy the views from a very small island.
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REALLY SORRY FOLKS, but the Open Day planned for tomorrow (Sunday 26th August) has been cancelled due to the forecast of high winds and heavy rain. Sorry to disappoint you all
Well folks, our 5th and last Open day for 2018 is this Sunday 26th August. Launches from the Hammerhead between 12 noon and 3.30 pm. No need to book, just turn up and board. Cream teas will be served, or juice and biscuits, scavenging, crabbing and digging on offer for the children, views to be admired, birds to be watched, plus the knowledge that you are visiting such a tiny island. Bring a picnic and make a day of it! Hope to see you there
Beautiful weather for our fourth Open Day yesterday. A steady stream of visitors enjoyed the boat trip to visit Mersea's historic Oyster Packing Shed and relax in the sunshine with a cream tea. Apologies to the few people who turned up on the hammerhead too late around 4pm, but we had to close earlier than usual due to the ebbing tide. (The posters did make it clear that the last boat out would be at 3.30pm). Here are a few photos of the views yesterday.
It's tomorrow - Saturday The 4th Packing Shed open day with cream teas! The weather is promising to be good so why not come down the Hammerhead between 12 noon and 4 pm and take one of our orange launches to this historic shed Dogs and children welcome
SPECIAL OFFER FOR SMALL GROUPS Hire the Packing Shed for a discounted price of £10 per person. Monday to Friday only excluding Bank Holidays Only available between the hours of 10 am and 5 pm Minimum number 9, maximum 18... Phone Bry on 01206 385123 to check availability mor see our website: www.packing-shed.org.uk
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Did you know that the Packing Shed is on its own island - Packing Marsh Island? Access is by boat only, but on Saturday 11th August there is an Open Day at the Packing Shed from 12 noon until 4 pm. Come and visit this tiny island, enjoy the wonderful views, cooling sea breezes and a delicious cream team for just £6. The children can collect shells, enjoy a scavenge hunt or fish for crabs for just £3. No need to book, just turn up on the Hammerhead
Great view of the Packing Shed taken by Jason Phillips during one of his flights.