Nestled in the heart of Shropshire’s idyllic “mini Lake District,” the inn boasts nine stunning Meres nearby, with the largest and most popular, “The Mere,” being just a stone’s throw away.
Accommodation on the Llangollen Canal / Canal Pub on the Llangollen Canal
Guide To The Red Lion Ellesmere
The Red Lion Ellesmere is a charming 16th-century coaching inn meticulously preserved and thoughtfully modernised, offering guests a unique blend of history, comfort, and hospitality.
A Historic Coaching Inn with Modern Charm
The Red Lion Ellesmere is within walking distance of the Llangollen Canal and BlackWater Marina. If you’re on a boat trip or canal holiday, it is a great place for a drink or a meal. It’s cosy, serves homemade food, and has renovated rooms for families, couples, and solo travellers.
A Rich History: The Red Lion’s 16th-Century Origins
The Red Lion Ellesmere was a coaching inn in the 16th century for travellers and their horses. The building still has features such as exposed beams and doors for horses to reach the stables in the courtyard. The courtyard is now an outdoor space where guests can have a drink. There are now guest rooms in the stables that once housed the horses.
The Inn was once one of many inns in Ellesmere, but now it is one of the few remaining. Today, guests can experience the old-world charm while enjoying all the modern comforts and conveniences it has to offer.
More On & About The Llangollen Canal
Welcoming All: Walk-Ins, Dogs, Parties, and Private Functions
The Red Lion Ellesmere welcomes walk-ins, dogs (and their well-behaved owners), families, parties, and private functions. With its variety of spaces and friendly staff, the inn can accommodate a range of events and celebrations.
One of the key features of The Red Lion Ellesmere is its friendly and vibrant atmosphere. The inn’s staff go above and beyond to make guests feel welcome, from walking through the doors to checking out. This warm and inviting ambience extends to the inn’s various spaces. These include its cosy bar, inviting dining room, and comfortable guest rooms.
The Red Lion’s bar is a focal point of the inn. It offers a selection of popular thirst-quenching drinks, including local ales and a wide range of spirits. The bar’s welcoming atmosphere makes it the perfect spot for guests to unwind after a long day of exploring the area. You can catch up with friends or enjoy a quiet drink.
The dining room at The Red Lion Ellesmere is a warm and inviting space where guests can enjoy delicious home-cooked meals prepared using fresh, locally sourced ingredients. The menu offers a variety of options, from traditional British fare to more international dishes, catering to a range of tastes and dietary requirements.
Comfort and Style in Every Room
The Red Lion Ellesmere offers a range of beautifully refurbished rooms, each designed with guest comfort and convenience in mind. There are a few room types to choose from:
- The family rooms at The Red Lion Ellesmere are spacious and comfortable, offering plenty of space for parents and children alike. With double and single beds, these rooms can accommodate families of varying sizes. Additionally, the rooms are equipped with modern amenities such as flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and tea and coffee-making facilities, ensuring a pleasant stay for all.
- The Red Lion offers ground-floor rooms with disabled access, ensuring all guests can enjoy a comfortable stay at the inn. These rooms are thoughtfully designed, featuring widened doorways, grab rails, and other accessibility features, without sacrificing style or comfort.
- The Red Lion Ellesmere offers rooms with baths for those looking to indulge in a little extra luxury during their stay. Guests can soak away their stresses in a warm, relaxing bath after a long day exploring the area’s many attractions. These rooms also feature plush bedding, soft towels, and high-quality toiletries, ensuring a truly pampering experience.
Each room is tastefully decorated, blending modern amenities with traditional charm to create a welcoming and relaxing environment.
In The Area
The Shropshire “Mini Lake District”: A Natural Wonderland
The Red Lion Ellesmere has a prime location in the heart of Shropshire’s “mini Lake District”. It makes it the perfect base for exploring the area’s stunning natural beauty. There are nine beautiful Meres in the area to discover. So, guests can enjoy leisurely walks, picnics, and wildlife spotting, all set against a backdrop of picturesque landscapes.
“The Mere” is the largest and most popular of the nine Meres, just a short stroll from the inn. This beautiful body of water is a haven for families and wildlife enthusiasts alike. It offers opportunities for birdwatching, photography, and simply enjoying the great outdoors.
The Red Lion Ellesmere Pictures
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The Red Lion Ellesmere Reviews
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Review from Google Places
12 August 2025
Amazing value. Rooms are small, and my room had a shared bathroom, but the price and location were excellent. Unless you drive an (original) mini, you probably won’t be able to drive through the cart-horse gate to the car-park, but there’s plenty of free parking nearby. I literally parked by the front entrance. There’s a good range of beers, including lots of local ones. The bar food is resonabmy priced and the breakfast was fantastic. Stuff were friendly and everything was clean.
Review from Google Places
4 August 2025
I stayed at The Red Lion the first weekend of August, 2025. Its an old building – so if ‘modern’ is your thing, then it maybe won’t be for you – however, I found it to be a pleasant stay, and am happy to be staying there again in a few weeks time. The bedroom was clean, with plenty of drawer space. No wardrobe, but a perfectly good hanging rail. There was plenty of tea and coffee available, along with UHT milk pots, and complimentary biscuits were also supplied. My en suite looked as if it had been recently fitted, and was exceptionally clean, which was lovely.
I had a room which overlooked the rear of the Inn, which included the outside seating area, and also a church. The seating area meant music and people, but the music ceased at 10pm, and the area cleared by 10.15pm, so no apparent noise after that time – apart from the church bells, but I quite enjoyed them, to be honest. Although the Inn has a road in front of it, there was no discernible traffic noise.
Breakfast was included in the price – and much appreciated. I had the full English twice, and the American pancakes on the third morning. There was also orange juice and cereals available. The food was plentiful – and the bacon, in particular, the best I’ve ever eaten!
The staff were happy, smiley people, and I’m looking forward to my visit at the end of the month.
I’ve stayed at a quite a few places in this area in the last few months, and would like to say that I consider The Red Lion to be excellent value for money, and also that the bed was one of the most comfortable I’ve slept in.
Thank you all for a very pleasant stay – keep up the good work!
Review from Google Places
30 June 2025
Pre booked for a Sunday roast yesterday with family. It was the Ellesmere triathlon so very busy in the town and they asked us to pre book our food, which we were happy to do. Found the pub busy when we arrived but clean and tidy, very friendly and prompt service for drinks. Food arrived quickly and was well presented and piping hot. Great portions for the sunday roast and very reasonable prices
Review from Google Places
14 April 2025
This is my second time eating here. The service is good, the food is delicious, and the price is reasonable.
Review from Google Places
27 December 2024
Popped in for a pint and ended up staying for some food.
Pint of Thwaites Gold which was very drinkable. Had a look at the menu and ordered a nachos starter and a side of chips. Wow the size of the nachos is massive and tasty. But the chips, honestly the best triple cooked fries I’ve ever had, honestly the BEST.
All this was served by some lovely staff who can either make or break an afternoon out. Thanks guys.
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