Since the 1700's the Haward Family have been cultivating oysters in and around the creeks of Mersea Island, Essex. These oysters, from the River Blackwater, are some of the finest in the world, with the Colchester Native Oyster receiving the Slow Food Presidia status. From the world famous Company Shed, and Borough Market, and across the UK, to Spain, Dubai, and China, our oysters are sold, eaten, and enjoyed around the world.

Richard Haward is seventh generation oysterman and his sons Bram and Tom are eighth. They believe that the core to cultivating oysters continues to be respecting nature and honouring the history of this unique industry. From William Haward Snr in the 18th Century, to the oyster that will sit on your plate, our history and where we have come from matters as much as where we are going, and we hope this unique history comes across in the quality of the oyster that you will eat.

Farming oysters takes time, and demands that we respect our environment, working with it, to produce oysters that reflect our passion. Richard has often said that these oysters have been here a lot longer than us, so we not only want to produce oysters that you will enjoy, but we also believe in understanding nature, ensuring that we work with and respect her. We are a small business producing what we believe to be a remarkable oyster.