Mersea Island — Travelrags

National GeographicSep 2, 2026

It's Oyster Season—Here's Where to Eat the U.K.'s Best

If you ever need an excuse to eat an oyster, Bobby Groves has plenty. The author of Oyster Isles: A Journey Through Britain and Ireland’s Oysters — a book written on a 5,000-mile motorcycle ride ...

10 things in this story

The Company ShedRestaurantWooden shack on Mersea Island, serving native oysters.
Mersea Island VineyardPlaceLocal producer of crisp, dry white wines.
Elsewhere
Chiltern FirehouseRestaurantLondon, United KingdomBobby Groves set up the raw bar at this London restaurant.
Stranraer Oyster FestivalFestivalStranraer, United KingdomAnnual festival, catalyst for town's growth, serves 15,000 oysters.
Loch Ryan Oyster Fishery CompanyPlaceStranraer, United KingdomSustainably fishes Scotland's sole remaining wild native oyster bed.
Bar ShrimpBarManchester, United KingdomServes Cornish native oysters with horseradish and lemon.
Higher GroundRestaurantManchester, United KingdomServes oysters with preserved wild garlic.
Kelp CanteenRestaurantFalmouth, United KingdomServes local natives raw with a roasted quince vinaigrette.
Whitstable Oyster CompanyRestaurantWhitstable, United KingdomOne of Europe's oldest oyster purveyors, founded in the 1400s.
Oyster Stores BarRestaurantWhitstable, United KingdomVictorian meeting hall interiors on the first floor.

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