The Cellar Church

Down a flight of stone steps beneath the parish church in Ellesmere sits one of England's more unusual places of worship. The Cellar Church is exactly what it sounds like - a proper underground chamber converted into a small chapel, all whitewashed walls and humble altar. It's atmospheric in the way only subterranean spaces can be: cool, quiet, a bit other-worldly.

Originally a medieval undercroft, the room was consecrated as a chapel and has been used for services ever since. You won't spend hours here - twenty minutes covers it comfortably - but the oddness of worshipping below ground gives it genuine character. It appeals most to history types and anyone curious about how churches adapted and repurposed their spaces over centuries. Families with older kids might find it interesting; younger ones will likely just want to get back outside.

Admission details aren't widely advertised, so check with Ellesmere parish church before visiting. The town itself is pleasant enough, built around a mere (that's a lake, if you're not from these parts), so it's worth a morning walk around the water while you're there.

If you're based at Woodland Park Lodges or Colemere Caravan Park nearby, the Cellar Church makes a decent half-hour detour on a rainy afternoon. Don't expect grandeur - expect simplicity and a slice of ecclesiastical oddity that most visitors to Shropshire completely miss.