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All the United Kingdom England West Mersea Monkey Beach

Monkey Beach

This stretch of beach is the site of a prime watering hole and a primate watchtower.

West Mersea, England

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Monkey Beach   AdOYo / Atlas Obscura User
Monkey Steps and cottage.   AdOYo / Atlas Obscura User
The wall on which the “monkey” cage was situated.   AdOYo / Atlas Obscura User
The wall on which the ‘monkey’ cage was situated.   AdOYo / Atlas Obscura User
Information board at the top of Monkey Steps.   AdOYo / Atlas Obscura User
Monkey Steps.   AdOYo / Atlas Obscura User
Monkey Beach   AdOYo / Atlas Obscura User
The fork of Monkey Steps.   AdOYo / Atlas Obscura User
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About

A small stretch of West Mersea’s beach is known by the strange moniker, Monkey Beach. The reason for this curious name, as well as its adjoining Monkey Steps, is believed to have stemmed from the beach's past. 

It's believed by some that at the bottom of the steps, where it meets the beach, sat a lookout post used by a customs officer or coast guard who oversaw boats coming and going from the island. The locals, amused by the sight of these lookouts in their small turret-like building, compared them to monkeys in a cage. 

Other stories state that the turret resident was an actual monkey. The primate may have been the pet of a local cottage owner or a lookout trained to make a sound when ships approached. 

A short climb up the Monkey Steps from its eponymous beach takes visitors to the site of St Peters Well in West Mersea. This well sustained the island's residents for over 1,000 years. 

In the past, Mersea residents often had distinctive brown teeth. This discoloration was due to the high fluoride levels of St Peters well.

The well was originally part of St Peter and St Paul’s priory, from which it got its name. This priory no longer stands. The well, although now covered, remains in place adorned with a plaque giving information on its long thirst-quenching history.

Related Tags

History & Culture Beaches Animals Legends

Know Before You Go

Coordinates are to the top of Monkey Steps where you will find the information board. A short walk down these steps will bring you to Monkey Beach. Midway down, you will find a fork off that takes you along a short path to St Peter's Well.

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AdOYo

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Steve 55

  • Steve 55

Published

December 14, 2020

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Sources
  • https://mediafiles.thedms.co.uk/Publication/CE/cms/pdf/Mersea%20Walks.pdf
  • https://www.merseamuseum.org.uk/mmresdetails.php?tot=64&cat=&col=MM&typ=c&rt=XT&hit=27&pid=COR_005
  • https://www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?sid=10058
  • https://www.seaskipr.com/news/2019/11/14/10-really-cool-things-to-know-about-mersea-island
Monkey Beach
22 Coast Rd
West Mersea, England, CO5 8LH
United Kingdom
51.774796, 0.908745
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Nearby Places

The Strood

Peldon, England

miles away

Chapel of St. Peter on the Wall

Bradwell-on-Sea, England

miles away

Colchester’s Roman Circus

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miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of England

England

United Kingdom

Places 2,231
Stories 145

Nearby Places

The Strood

Peldon, England

miles away

Chapel of St. Peter on the Wall

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Colchester’s Roman Circus

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Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of England

England

United Kingdom

Places 2,231
Stories 145

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