The mere’s were created by melting ice 10,000 years ago, the mere at Ellesmere is the largest of the nine glacial meres in the area and some of the largest in England outside the Lake District. What makes them different from those in the Lake District is that they don’t have a flow of water into them to maintain the level.
In 1812 the Lady of Ellesmere House, took the unemployed people of the area and got them to work landscaping her garden. It was winter and all the soil from the gardens was wheelbarrowed across the frozen mere and left in a pile, when it thawed it settled into an artificial island. This was later named ‘Moscow Island’ and shortened to ‘Cow Island’, following on from the Napoleonic War, where Napoleon was forced to retreat.
The island is very popular with birdwatchers who visit to see the grey herons and other birds nesting.
Ellesmere also has a great nightlife with friendly pubs, great restaurants, which are eat in or take away. A Tesco situated alongside the canal makes for convenient shopping, but don’t miss out on walking to Vermuelens ( Unbelievable Pies, Pasties, Rolls, Cakes) or the other local shops.
Cash machines are available at Tesco and on the high street.
A chemist is also on the high street, with Dr’s for emergencies at Churchmere Medical Practice
