Glamping rental Colemere - 1 glamping

An Ice Age Secret Hiding in the Shropshire Countryside

Tucked away in the rolling green landscape of North Shropshire, Colemere is a place most people have never heard of, and that is precisely what makes it so special. This tiny village, situated just two miles south-east of the market town of Ellesmere and around 13 miles north of the county town of Shrewsbury, is home to one of England's most beautiful glacial meres and a countryside heritage site that holds international conservation status. If you are searching for a holiday rental in Colemere in England, you are about to trade in crowds and clichés for a genuinely peaceful, nature-rich escape.

Where Exactly Is Colemere?

Colemere sits in the county of Shropshire, in the West Midlands region of England. It falls within the SY12 postcode district, with Ellesmere as its post town. The village lies close to the Welsh border, just two miles from the Clwyd boundary, and is roughly 149 miles north-west of London and 98 miles north of Cardiff. Road access is straightforward: Colemere is well signposted from both the A528 and A495. The nearest railway station is in Gobowen, which is served by regular services from Shrewsbury, Wrexham, and Chester. A free car park is available at the Colemere Countryside Heritage Site year-round.

Why a Holiday in Colemere Hits Differently

There are plenty of places in England where you can enjoy a pretty view, but Colemere offers something rarer: true tranquillity underpinned by ecological significance. Here are some compelling reasons to book a rental in Colemere for your next break:

• The centrepiece of the area, Cole Mere, is one of several glacial meres formed during the last Ice Age. It is nearly completely enclosed by mature woodland and two hay meadows, creating a landscape that feels almost untouched by time.
• Colemere Countryside Heritage Site holds triple conservation designations: it is a Local Nature Reserve, a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), and an internationally important Ramsar wetland site. Few holiday destinations can claim such ecological credentials.
• This is the only site in England where the rare Least Water-lily (Nuphar pumila) is found, making it a pilgrimage spot for botanists and plant lovers.
• The area around Ellesmere has been inhabited since the Iron Age, so you are walking through a landscape shaped by thousands of years of both natural forces and human history.
• Colemere is positioned at a perfect midpoint between the English and Welsh countryside, giving you easy access to two distinct cultural landscapes during a single holiday.

Surprising Highlights You Will Not Find in a Standard Guidebook

A Mere with Its Own Sailing Club Since 1959

The Colemere Sailing Club has been active on the mere since 1959 and received funding from the Sport England Olympic Legacy Fund for a renovation that included purpose-built jetties and rescue boats. While public use of boats and canoes on the mere is not permitted in order to protect the rare marginal wetland plants, watching the sailing club in action from the shore is a lovely experience.

Wild Orchids in the Meadows

Visit during late June and July and you can see the hay meadows around Colemere bursting with wild flowers and orchids, including southern marsh orchid, meadow cranesbill, and lady's smock. Numerous insect species also thrive here, such as the brown hawker dragonfly and the common blue damselfly.

A Working Vineyard Named After the Village

Colemere Vineyard is a small, family-run vineyard located in North Shropshire. Planted by hand in 2014, it produces its own range of English wines. It is one of those hidden gems that only locals and visitors who stay in the area tend to find.

Rare Breed Cattle Grazing the Meadows

In late summer, rare breed cattle are used to graze the flower-rich meadows around the mere as part of the site's conservation management. It is an unusual and photogenic sight that adds to Colemere's character.

Folklore at Nearby Blake Mere

A short distance from Colemere lies Blake Mere, a smaller and equally atmospheric lake steeped in local folklore. Legends tell of a ghostly white lady said to haunt its waters, adding a touch of mystery to your walks.

Top 5 Things to Do When Staying in Colemere

1. Walk the Only Full Circular Mere Trail in North Shropshire. Colemere is the only glacial mere in the area that offers a complete circular walk. The path is reasonably level and covers roughly 1.5 miles, taking you through mature woodland and along the water's edge with tremendous views across the open water. It can be suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs, though it may be muddy at certain times of year.

2. Follow the Canal from Colemere to Ellesmere. A picturesque walking route connects Colemere to the market town of Ellesmere along the Llangollen Canal (formerly part of the Shropshire Union Canal system), passing the beautiful Blake Mere along the way. Ellesmere itself is a vibrant town with Georgian and half-timbered buildings, independent shops, cosy cafés, and a fascinating sculpture trail with 25 artworks spread across about three miles of free public walks.

3. Visit Wood Lane Nature Reserve. Located right on the road between Ellesmere and Colemere, Wood Lane is one of the best birdwatching sites in Shropshire. Developed on former sand and gravel workings, it features large lagoons with islands and surrounding wetland. More than 180 bird species have been recorded here since its establishment in 1999, including breeding lapwing, tree sparrow, and up to 500 pairs of nesting sand martins. Two large hides are available for birdwatchers.

4. Craft Your Own Gin at The Shropshire Distillery. In nearby Ellesmere, The Shropshire Distillery is a multi-award-winning, family-run operation that has been ranked in the top 10% of attractions worldwide by TripAdvisor. Their Gin School lets you design and distil your own unique gin using a mini copper still and a wall of botanicals. It is a hands-on, memorable experience and a wonderful rainy-day activity.

5. Take a Day Trip to the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct. A short drive from Colemere brings you to one of the most spectacular feats of civil engineering in the world. Designed by Thomas Telford and completed in 1805, the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct carries the Llangollen Canal 38 metres above the River Dee in North Wales. It was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2009. You can walk across it for free along the towpath, or take a narrowboat ride for a truly unforgettable perspective.

Practical Tips for Your Colemere Holiday

• Colemere is a conservation-sensitive area. Dogs must be kept on a short lead between 1st March and 31st July to protect rare ground-nesting birds.
• There is no public fishing at Colemere; the fishing rights are leased to a private club.
• The nearest major town for shopping and dining is Ellesmere, just a short drive or a pleasant canal walk away. Ellesmere hosts a range of events throughout the year, from a Summer Festival in July to a Winter Festival in November.
• For international visitors: the closest major airports are Birmingham International (BHX), Liverpool John Lennon (LPL), and Manchester. From any of these, Shropshire is reachable within roughly one to two hours by car.
• Bring binoculars. Between the mere, the meadows, and nearby Wood Lane, birdwatching opportunities are exceptional year-round. Winter brings goldeneye, goosander, tufted duck, and wigeon to the meres, while spring and summer offer nesting herons, grebes, and a spectacular display of wildflowers.

A Place That Rewards the Curious

Colemere is not the kind of destination that shouts for attention. It does not have theme parks, famous landmarks, or bustling nightlife. What it does have is a rare and precious landscape, internationally recognised for its ecological importance, wrapped in the kind of quiet beauty that makes you want to slow down and pay attention. Book a rental in Colemere now and give yourself the gift of a holiday that genuinely restores. Whether you come for the wildflowers, the birdlife, the canal walks, or simply the silence, this corner of Shropshire will surprise you in all the best ways.