Wood Lane Wiled Life Reserve.
Wood Lane Nature Reserve
One of Shropshire's premier bird-watching sites, Wood Lane Nature Reserve has been transformed in recent years from old sand and gravel workings by the Tudor Griffiths Group, near Ellesmere. The reserve features several large lagoons with islands and surrounding wetlands, creating an ideal habitat for a variety of wildlife.
The site is set against a backdrop of industrial landscapes, with towering sand heaps providing the perfect nesting grounds for hundreds of pairs of sand martins—up to 500 pairs have been recorded here. This unique reserve is a must-visit for bird enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.
More than 180 species of birds have been recorded at Wood Lane since the nature reserve was established in 1999. Pumps control the water levels, so that optimum amounts of mud and water are available for wading birds such as greenshank and curlew; islands have been created for safe roosting; hundreds of trees have been planted and scores of nest boxes installed. Birds such as godwit and whimbrel, drop in to feed up on their migration journeys in spring and autumn.
The reserve is a rare and much valued haven for breeding lapwing, tree sparrow and yellow hammer, while little ringed plover is another speciality. There are around 40 breeding bird species on the reserve.
There are two large hides facing the lagoons and school groups regularly visit. We welcome group visits to Wood Lane but please book in advance with Ellie Larkham on EllieL@shropshirewildlifetrust.org.uk
Getting to Wood Lane
From the A528, just south of Ellesmere, take the Colemere road at the Spunhill crossroads. The car park is ¾ mile down on the right.
Contact us
Shropshire Wildlife TrustContact number: 01743 284280Contact email: enquiries@shropshirewildlifetrust.org.ukSee Reserve's TwitterSee Reserve's Facebook
Birch Road Pond.
About the reserve
Once an area used as a rubbish dump, this pond and surrounding woodland have now been transformed into an area local people can enjoy. In summer the vegetation grows into a fantastic jungle; an ideal place for birds and other wildlife. Willows here attract a lot of insects, such as the caterpillars of over 90 moth species.
Next to the recreation ground on Birch Road, this is one of those edge of town wild areas that could so easily have been lost to development or tidied into the bland uniformity of a municipal park. Fortunately Ellesmere people saw its value and this delightful patch of wet woodland and the pond at its centre have survived to provide frogs, newts and dragonflies with somewhere to live.
In summer the vegetation grows into a fantastic jungle; an ideal place for birds and other wildlife. Herons and house martins feed from and over the pool and common newts breed here. The open water attracts dragonflies and damselflies. Great spotted woodpeckers, bullfinches, goldfinches, nuthatch and willow warbler are among some of the bird species seen here.
Getting to Birch Road Pond
From Ellesmere town centre follow signs to Ellesmere College. This leads you to Birch Road. The recreation ground is on your right and the pond is at the lower end.
Habitat
Contact us
Shropshire Wildlife TrustContact number: 01743 284280Contact email: enquiries@shropshirewildlifetrust.org.u
The Mere
About
The Mere at Ellesmere is an award winning Park with a beautiful lake with gardens, woodland walks and historic parkland on the edge of the medieval market town of Ellesmere. It is the largest of nine meres and mosses that can be found in the unique Shropshire landscape. The Community Room at The Rangers Bungalow, overlooking The Mere, is available for hire.
Please note there is no walking route around the entirety of the Mere, much of the eastern shores of the Mere are in private landownership.
The Mere, at 46 hectares, is the largest of Shropshire’s meres. Located on the edge of Ellesmere in North Shropshire, The Mere and its immediate setting demonstrate a rich diversity of natural and cultural heritage.
The thick glacial sands, gravels and boulder clays of the Cheshire Basin extend southward into North Shropshire, where they produce a flat or gently undulating landscape. In and around Ellesmere this landscape is interspersed with hummocks and lakes formed in front of receding glaciers. The meres and mosses including those surrounding Ellesmere were formed by the retreat of glaciers during the last ice age some 12,000 years ago. This is part of the wider Meres and Mosses area. The meres that were formed are known as ‘kettle holes’ and resulted from large blocks of ice from the glacier creating deep holes in the glacial moraine. Local soils within the park are of the typical brown earths (non-alluvial loamy soils with a non-calcareous subsoil) and typical stagnogley soils (clay enriched subsoil with distinct topsoil).
The landscape and archaeology features and the history of the park’s evolution are key to understanding its significance nationally and regionally. Its exploitation and use extends from pre-history for fishing, then for defence during the 11th century, through industrial exploitation in the 17th century and ultimately for recreation, initially solely for the gentry during the 19th century and ultimately by the public from the mid 20th century onwards.
The Motte and Bailey, a scheduled ancient monument is of national significance and occupies what was once one of the most significant positions in the County. The buildings on the mereside relate to the unique historic development of the Mere and its setting by aristocratic proprietors. The development of the buildings in the park is of regional significance. Ellesmere House lies adjacent to the park and is now in private ownership however it is important in terms of the context of the park. The Garden Terraces which once formed the terraced walkway link between the house and The Mere are of regional and local significance.
The park is predominantly flat, and provides a number of easy access walking routes. The highest point is the remains of the Motte & Bailey which along with the Garden Terrace walks afford views over the surrounding landscape.
The Mere was enclosed as part of the development of the Bridgewater Estate at Ellesmere House from c.1854 when the area now known as Cremorne Gardens became the ‘pleasure grounds’ to the Bridgewater family, inventors of the British inland navigation system. Its subsequent owners, the Brownlow family, transferred The Mere and the grounds around it by deed of gift ‘for the benefit of the public’ in 1953.
Use of the park has developed over the years and now consists of a series of linked but distinctive ‘character areas’ offering a wide range of heritage experiences.
The Mere Boathouse and Visitor Centre bring together the key public facilities in the park into one building. The kiosk which sits on the Promenade provides snacks and light refreshments. The Rangers Bungalow, opposite the play area in Cremorne Gardens, has a Community Room available to rent for £18.75/ hour - to book please email: michael.simms@shropshire.gov.uk
Cremorne Gardens provides additional public toilets, a children's play area and an adventure play area. The Gardens and promenade provide formal beds, specimen trees, lawns and seating. There are two pay and display car parks at the Moors and Castlefields. The park provides a number of themed walks which encourage the exploration of the park, provides interpretation of its heritage and makes links with Ellesmere town, the Llangollen Canal and surrounding countryside. The site also provides for fishing and boating activities.
Canoeing on the Mere
Canoeing, kayaking, paddle boarding and boating are a great way to enjoy the Mere and are permitted all year round once a membership form is filled in and an annual fee of £33 per adult is paid. The Ellesmere boating Application 2024 should be completed and returned together with payment to the address on the form. For more information about using the open water at the Mere, please email: michael.simms@shropshire.gov.uk For information about our office location, access to site and boating restricted areas on the Mere please click on Ellesmere boating map
Things to see and do
- Heron Watch - visit The Boathouse to see live images of the herons nesting on Heron Island during the spring months. Ellesmere Heronwatch
- Enjoy a walk along the Promenade at The Mere - a great place to watch the wildlife or just watch the world go by.
- Follow the all-ability trail at The Mere through Cremorne Gardens and round the shore of the Mere through magnificent avenues of chestnut and beech.
- Try out the new 'Tree Trail' which includes both young specimens and veteran trees. The leaflet is available to download in PDF via the link on this page. Or - download the app via TiCL.com 'The Mere at Ellesmere Tree Trail.'
- Enjoy great food and drink overlooking The Mere at The Boathouse .
Best wildlife trails in Ellesme
Explore the most popular wildlife trails near Ellesmere with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you.