I visited a picturesque market town with a wild side in the heart of Shropshire's 'Lake District'

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Often dubbed Shropshire's Lake District, the area features nine meres in total - most notably The Mere in Ellesmere, along with Blakemere, Colemere, Whitemere, Kettlemere, Newton Mere, Crosemere and Sweat Mere and Hanmer Mere.

The Mere itself is one of the largest natural meres in England outside of the actual Lake District, but here in Shropshire they differ from the likes of Grasmere and Windermere because their water levels aren't fed by a river or stream.

The formation of these north Shropshire meres dates back to the last Ice Age, when the retreat of glaciers left behind deep depressions which filled with meltwater.

And, like the Lake District, the stunning natural beauty of the area makes Ellesmere the perfect base for outdoor enthusiasts - there are opportunities for canoeing, kayaking, paddle boarding, sailing and wild swimming.

If the water isn't for you, the town is perfectly placed for rambling, with walking options ranging from challenging routes with breathtaking views over north Shropshire and Cheshire to gentle canal towpaths.

When I visited the town this week, it's the wilder side of Ellesmere that most residents were raving about.

Among them was Victoria Eastman, who moved to the area around 30 years ago for the town's schools but stays for the great outdoors and easy transport links.

"There's lots of lovely dog walks, especially along the canal. It's a very beautiful area," she said.

"And despite it being so rural, it's got a very good road network. We're also only about an hour from Manchester airport - and it would take you more than that to get to Heathrow if you were in London."

The town's array of independent stores has also kept Victoria around for three decades. The town centre itself is packed with heritage and character — where the historic buildings host an array of independent shops and cosy cafes.

One such establishment, Coco Coffee Bar, has been run by Julie Reeves for the last 13 years. Julie also appreciated the town's picturesque setting.

She said: "It's beautiful. We get a lot of tourists coming for the canal and the meres, people come from all over. We've had all nationalities, Australians, Americans."

But it's the friendly locals that keep Julie going: "We have such lovely customers, Ellesmere is full of friendly people."

There's no shortage of community spirit in Ellesmere, evident from the calendar packed with free events. In July, the town hosts both a boat regatta and a lively Summer Festival packed with live music and stalls centred around the picturesque canal wharf.

That's followed with a traditional carnival in August, two triathlons and a winter festival in November.