Ellesmere Circular Cycle Ride of the mere’s

This 17 mile Cycle ride is an easy ride which takes you from Ellesmere around the meres around the town. Along the way you pass through the village of Colemere with its heritage sit with its wildlife. Suitable places to stop along the route for refreshments are Cockshutt and Welshampton. The route is based on following rural country lanes and ‘B’ roads to avoid traffic.

Starting from The Red Lion Coaching Inn on Church Hill, Ellesmere, which is positioned opposite ‘The Mere’, the mere is located by the side the main town and is the largest natural mere in England outside the Lake District and one of nine glacial meres in the area.
From the Red Lion cycle along Church Hill away from the Mere and past Ellesmere Castle. The castle is thought to date back to the 11th century and is a motte and bailey type castle.

As you cycle past the castle the road bends sharply to your left and you pass St Johns Hill on your right. TURN FIRST RIGHT after St Johns Hill (just a few yards past St Johns Hill). Follow this road for about 120 yards to its end and at the ‘T’ junction at the end of the road TURN LEFT along Birch Road which takes you over the canal and past the British Waterways Yard.

After the canal continue to cycle along Birch Road for about 1 mile towards the village of Tetchill. On reaching Tetchill you come to a ‘T’ junction TURN RIGHT AND THEN AFTER APPROX 120 YARDS TURN LEFT (first left) along a country lane which takes you in the direction of Tetchill Moor.

Follow this lane for about one and a half miles to its end and at the ‘T’ junction TURN LEFT and then after 300 yards TURN FIRST RIGHT along another country lane towards the village of Cockshutt.

Cycle along the lane for about 2 miles until you reach the village of Cockshutt. As you reach the village the lane comes to a ‘T’ junction with the A528. Care should be taken at this busy road junction. At the junction TURN LEFT along the A528 Shrewsbury Road and then TURN FIRST RIGHT onto Crosmere Road (after 70 yards). At the end of the village FOLLOW THE ROAD ROUND TO THE RIGHT towards English Frankton. If you look over to your left you should be able to see Crose Mere in the distance.

Cycle along the lane for about a1 mile until you reach English Frankton and as you reach the village TURN FIRST LEFT towards Colemere and Pikesend. After about 200 yards at the end of the lane TURN LEFT and continue to cycle to the village of Colemere, which just under 2 miles along this rural country lane.

As you cycle through the village you will see Cole ‘Mere’ straight in front of you. At the end of the village TURN RIGHT along the lane towards Welshampton and this lane takes you around the right hand side of the mere and is sign posted for Lyneal.

After about 600 yards you come to another ‘T’ junction TURN RIGHT AND THEN FIRST LEFT along Lyneal lane. Now continue to cycle along Lyneal lane for about a mile and a quarter until you come to Welshampton.

When you reach Welshampton Lyneal Road bends to the right and comes to an end at a ‘T’ junction with the A495. Take care at this busy junction. TURN LEFT AT THE JUNCTION THEN TURN FIRST RIGHT onto Stocks Lane after just 50 yards.

Now cycle for about a mile and a quarter to the end of Stocks Lane and TURN LEFT at the ‘T’ junction. Follow this lane as it twists and turns for about 600 yards then TURN LEFT at the end of the lane. This country lane will now take you the mile and a half back to Ellesmere and as you near the town you will pass the ‘mere’ on your left.

As you enter the town the road is called Swan Hill. Follow Swan Hill to the end and then TURN LEFT along Talbot Street and cycle along Talbot Street for about 250 yards and you come to Church Hill on your right with the Red Lion Coaching Inn. The end of the ride.

Ellesmere is an historic town with medieval streets and Georgian houses and you will find plenty of places to visit in this lovely Shropshire town.