Coast Road, West Mersea

Besom House, is an exceptional coastal residence offering a blend of period charm and modern living. This substantial home is beautifully positioned on a corner plot, enjoying superb views over the Anchorage and Blackwater Estuary. With spacious and versatile accommodation across three floors, this property provides the perfect setting for comfortable family living in one of Mersea Island’s most sought-after locations.

Upon entering, a storm porch leads to the recently added Garden Room, featuring a full-width bay window overlooking the front garden, creating a light-filled and inviting space. A door leads to the inner hallway, which boasts wood flooring and classic wood-panelled walls, setting the tone for the character found throughout the home. To the left, the impressive dual-aspect Sitting room benefits from high ceilings, a striking red brick fireplace with a wood-burning stove, and a raised area currently used as a library/study.

The heart of the home is the spacious kitchen/breakfast room, which offers a well-equipped layout, a pantry, and a sizeable utility/boot room with direct access to the garden and driveway. The separate dining room is filled with natural light from its dual aspect and also enjoys high ceilings, providing a perfect setting for entertaining. Completing the ground floor is a conveniently located WC.

Ascending the stairs, a galleried landing leads to three generous double bedrooms and a family bathroom. The principal bedroom is a true highlight, featuring its own private balcony with breathtaking coastal views, a walk-in wardrobe, and an en-suite bathroom. A built-in cupboard off the landing adds practical storage.

The second floor provides an additional living space, which can be utilised as either a bedroom or Studio, offering the most spectacular estuary views. This tranquil retreat includes an en-suite shower room and access to eaves storage, maximising the space available.

Externally, the property is perfectly positioned to offer both privacy and convenience. The west-facing established garden is a haven of tranquillity, ideal for enjoying the stunning sunsets. A granite stone driveway provides ample off-road parking and leads to a detached double garage with an attached workshop, previously built as an office, offering further potential for home working or additional storage.

With its unrivalled location, elegant period features, and generous living space, Coast Road is a rare opportunity to acquire a character-filled home in a prestigious coastal setting.

For an Internal Inspection Call Oakheart Mersea Island.








Besom House , is an exceptional coastal residence offering a blend of period charm and modern living. This substantial home is beautifully positioned on a corner plot, enjoying superb views over the Anchorage and Blackwater Estuary. With spacious and versatile accommodation across three floors, this property provides the perfect setting for comfortable family living in one of Mersea Island’s most sought-after locations.

Upon entering, a storm porch leads to the recently added Garden room, featuring a full-width bay window overlooking the front garden, creating a light-filled and inviting space. A door leads to the inner hallway, which boasts wood flooring and classic wood-panelled walls, setting the tone for the character found throughout the home. To the left, the impressive dual-aspect sitting room benefits from high ceilings, a striking red brick fireplace with a wood-burning stove, and a raised area currently used as a library/study.

The heart of the home is the spacious kitchen/breakfast room, which offers a well-equipped layout, a pantry, and a sizable utility/boot room with direct access to the garden and driveway. The separate dining room is filled with natural light from its dual aspect and also enjoys high ceilings, providing a perfect setting for entertaining. Completing the ground floor is a conveniently located WC.

Ascending the stairs, a galleried landing leads to three generous double bedrooms and a family bathroom. The principal bedroom is a true highlight, featuring its own private balcony with breathtaking coastal views, a walk-in wardrobe, and an en-suite bathroom. A built-in cupboard off the landing adds practical storage.

The second floor provides an additional living space, which can be utilised as either a bedroom or studio, offering the most spectacular estuary views. This tranquil retreat includes an en-suite shower room and access to eaves storage, maximising the space available.

Externally, the property is perfectly positioned to offer both privacy and convenience. The west-facing established garden is a haven of tranquillity, ideal for enjoying the stunning sunsets. A granite stone driveway provides ample off-road parking and leads to a detached double garage with an attached workshop, previously built as an office, offering further potential for home working or additional storage.

With its unrivalled location, elegant period features, and generous living space, Besom House is a rare opportunity to acquire a character-filled home in a prestigious coastal setting.

History

Besom House, which is named after the adjacent Besom Creek, was built in about 1906 for the artist Arthur Briscoe. Arthur was renowned for his etchings of marine scenes, particularly from the age of sail. Several examples of his work can be found in Besom House. The architect was Howard Messer, who moved to America and, working with his brother, found fame designing many landmark buildings here. He retired to Mersea and designed several buildings there including other houses in Coast Road. He also worked with Edward Lutyens on the War Graves Commission buildings. During World War II the house was occupied by Iorys Hughes, who did much of the early work the Mulberry harbours, the artificial ports towed to France to support the D-Day landings. This was one of Sir Winston Churchill’s pet projects and he is reputed to have visited the house to discuss this with Iorys. In the 1980’s, the house became very dilapidated and was scheduled to be demolished to make way for a small block of flats. However, it was rescued by local builder, Stuart Cock, who restored it to its former glory with modern plumbing, heating, electrics etc.