The Mere at Ellesmere Country Park

Location: North Shropshire, Grid ref - SJ 405347 (for a map showing the location of the site click the link below)

If you are planning to visit the site take a look at the seasonal notice attached to this page for things to look out for, work planned and forthcoming events

Facilities:

• Meres Visitor Centre - shop and tourist information
• row boats for hire
• steamboat trips on the Mere - see the link to the Shropshire Steamboat website
• wheelyboat for hire, accessible for wheelchair users (must be pre-booked through the Shropshire Steamboat co.)
• fishing (including angling for people with a disability)
• public toilets
• Boathouse Restaurant (currently closed for refurbishment as part of the Mere Heritage Project)
• Ice cream kiosk

Recreational Activities: Mostly easy, level walking. Fishing (including fishing for people with a disability)

Two family friendly routes have been designed at the site and are available for download on this page. (Other family friendly walks are available at other Countryside sites).

The Meres Meander leaflet is available for download from this page showing a number of short circular walks in the area.

For more information on fishing follow the link 'Where can I fish in Shropshire'

Events

• Heronwatch - March to May
• Mere Ambles (Walking for health) - follow the link on this page for further information
• Meres and Mosses Month - August - follow the link on this page for further information

If you would like to find out about becoming a Heronwatch volunteer click the Heronwatch link on this page.

Extramuros 2007 - art outside the walls - The sculptures have now travelled to Andalucia in southern Spain, Anderes in Portugal and are now in Asturias in northern Spain, the three local sculptures will return to be permanently located here in 2009. For further information, follow the link on this page

The Mere at Ellesmere is the largest of the Shropshire meres (the area is known as the Shropshire Lake District).

The area is important for its wildlife and attracts many different water birds, particularly in the winter. You may see migrants such as Pochard, Widgeon, Goldeneye and Goosander.

The park has a children's play area and there are signposted walks around the mere and its surroundings including an all ability trail and paths linking the Mere to the town centre. Castlefields includes the remaining earth ramparts of a twelfth century Norman castle and commands impressive views over the Mere.

There are a number of public houses and restaurants selling food, both in the town and at the Mereside. The Tourist Information Centre has a retail section and exhibition area. The Centre is open daily until the end of October and then at the weekends only up until Christmas. It is closed during January and February and reopens the first weekend in March for Heronwatch which is supported by the Ranger Service.

Cyclists can also enjoy regional cycle route 31 which passes through Ellesmere on its way from Oswestry to Whitchurch. Select the link on this page to visit the suggested cycle routes page and look up Route 31.

The Plantation is a nearby nature reserve managed by Shropshire Wildlife Trust. Why not wander through and admire the fine trees. The reserve is immediately south of Castlefields, click on the link on this page to find out more.

The Mere at Ellesmere Heritage Project: Shropshire County Council and Ellesmere Town Council propose to make significant improvements to 'The Mere at Ellesmere' and its buildings. A Stage One Application to the 'Parks for People' programme funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Big Lottery was successful. A Stage Two Application has also been successful. For more information click on the link on this page

Grazing
Grazing is the best way of managing the Castlefields meadows and we are working with the 'Shropshire Local Grazing Scheme (SLGS)' to support or introduce grazing management where feasible. To find out more about the SLGS click the link on this page.

If you or your organisation would like to hold a public event on this site please contact us