|
 Oswestry
|
|
|
Oswestry,
this ancient market town lies to the north of Shropshire,
close to the Welsh border.
The settlement takes its name
from Oswald, the Christian King of Northumbria. When King
Oswald was defeated in battle by Penda, the pagan King of
Mercia in 641 AD, his body was dismembered and his limbs nailed
to a tree, hence the name, 'Oswalds Tree'.
As a frontier town Oswestry had
a turbulent history, changing hands many times. At one time
it was encircled by castle walls but it was still able to
function as a thriving market town.
Today Oswestry's colourful street
market, dating back to 1190, is the largest in the Borderlands.
The town centre, designated a
Conservation Area, has an interesting mix of architectural
styles including many timber-framed buildings, Georgian town
houses and Victorian shops. The delightful 15th century timber-framed
building that now houses the Oswestry Heritage Centre, was
once the home of town's grammar school (founded in 1407).
The Reverend Spooner, of Spoonerism fame, was educated here.
The Oswestry Transport Museum
in Oswarld Road celebrates a 150 years of railway history
in Oswestry.
Old Oswestry, an impressive Iron
Age hill fort overlooking the town, is said to be the birthplace
of Queen Guinevere. In the hills behind the town, just over
the Welsh border, is the Pistyll Rhaeadr Waterfall. With a
drop of 240 feet, this spectacular waterfall is higher than
Niagara Falls. The remains of Whittington Castle stand nearby
and slightly further afield are the Welsh castles of Chirk
and Powis.
|
| Location
Map of Oswestry |
What
To See -
Oswestry Tourist Attractions
|
| |
 Old
Oswestry Hill Fort, one
mile north, off an unclassified road off A483, with its elaborate
defences, Old Oswestry is said to be the finest example of an
Iron Age hill fort in the Marches. Over 2500 years old, its
ramparts are well defined and the flat hilltop, 200 feet above
the surrounding countrysde, provided a Celtic tribe with views
over the area. There were two heavily defended entrances,at
the western entrance arearectangular hollows that are unique
to Oswestry. Offa's Dyke lies about 2.5 miles west. Open: daily
through out the year. |
| |
Oswestry
Transport Museum, Oswald
Road, Oswestry, founded in 1972, is run by volunteers from the
Cambrian Railway Society Ltd. Housed in an original Cambrian
property and covers 150 years of railway history in Oswestry
including Cambrian Railways, the Great Western Railway and British
Railways. Memorabila on display includes photographs, exhibits
and artifacts from all periods.Loading platform and connecting
track with a changing display. On the last Sunday of the month
and Bank Holidays one of the locomotives may be in steam. The
Oswestry Heritage Steam Railway began running in 1995 and on
certain weekends visitors can also take train rides.
Open: Mon-Sat 09:00-16:00, Sun 11.00-16:00, closed 25 Dec. Tel:
01691 671749 Donations |
| |
Park
Hall Countryside Experience,
Park Hall, Burma Road, Oswestry, a 130 acre farm, with restored
Victorian farm buildings and vintage machinery looking at past,
present and future farming techniques.Rare breeds of pigs, sheep,
poultry and highland cattle, heavy horses in restored Victorian
stables. Small animals centre, tractor-drawn carridge rides,
classic cars and British motor bikes. Collection of artifacts,
uniforms and memorabilia illustrating the history of the Welsh
Guards. Walks, driving school for children. Tearooms, etc.
Open 2005: daily 18 Mar-16 Sept, 10:00-17:00, 7 Sept-30 Oct:
Fri-Sun 10:00-17:00; 31 Oct-31 Mar Fri-Sun 10:00-16:00; Also
open 20 Oct-30 Oct (Halloween) and for Christmas 3-24 Dec Tel: 01691
671123  |
| |
| Whittington
Castle, Whittington, 3 miles
north-east of Oswestry, set in 12 acres of land, this ruined
Marches castle lies only one mile from the vast Iron Age hill
fort of Old Oswestry. The present condition dates from the restoration
and clearance work of 1967. The community of Whittington has
a 99 year lease to manage the castle, which stands at the centre
of the village. The ground floor rooms of the Castle Gateway
and Cottage are open Easter-Oct, weekends only 11:00-16:00.
Free public access to Castle grounds all year. Visit
their website |
| |
| Melverley
Church, Melverley, Oswestry,
visitors to the Craft Centre ( see below) should visit the black
and white church of St Peter, standing on the banks of the River
Vyrnwy.The timber-framed building was rebuilt in 1406 after
it was burnt to the ground by Owain Glyndwr. The church has
a Jacobean pulpit and chained Bible. |
| |
| Melverley
Craft Centre,The Old Rectory,
Melverley, Oswestry, Melverley village lies in a tranquil setting
on the Shropshire/Powis border. The Craft Centre is in the
stable block of the Old Rectory where a wide range of quality
crafts produced by over 30 makers from Shropshire and the Borderlands.
On display are items made from wood, metal, clay, wax, wool,
feathers, seeds and flowers. Tearoom. Open: Easter-Oct half
term on Fri, Sat and Sun, 10:00-17:00 Tel: 01691 682455 |
| |
| Llanymynech
Heritage Area, near A483,
6 miles south of Oswestry, close to the Welsh border the Heritage
area is dominated by a carboniferous limestone quarry. Until
the 1900's this was a centre of the lime industry producing
lime for agriculture and as a flux in blast furnaces. Features
of its industrial past remain. Circular routes past lime kilns,
along canals and disused railway lines, through woodland and
across pastures. Tel :01691 624448 |
| |
| Nesscliffe
Country Park, north of the
A5 halfway between Shrewsbury and Oswestry, on two wooded hills
and part of a heath-covered ridge ('ness' is the Old English
word for ridge). The disused quarries once supplied sandstone
for some of Shropshire's castles and churches. Nesscliffe was
the haunt of 'Wild' Humphrey Kynaston, a highwayman known as
'Shropshire's Robin Hood'. Born in Myddle Castle in 1474, Kynaston
was found guilty of murder in 1491 and declared an outlaw by
Henry VII. He took refuge on Nesscliffe Rock and often hid
in Kynaston Caves with his horse Beelzebub. In 1518 he was
pardoned by Henry VIII and lived peacefully until 1534. Walks
up the paths to Kynaston's Caves, footpath to an Iron Age hill
fort (over 2000 years old), views towards Wales. Colour-coded
paths and trails for cyclists, horses and walkers. Tel: 01691
624448 |
| |
Where
To Stay in Oswestry
|
|
|
|
|
|
Guest
Houses, Bed & Breakfasts, Inns and Other Hotels
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
 |
Candy Oswestry SY10 9AZ
Situated on the Offas Dyke, 3 miles from Oswestry, lies the beautiful and tranquil Candy Valley. A warm welcome awaits you at this property which has been extensively refurbished to provide comfortable accommodation. There is a wealth of ... Sleeps 4
More... |
|
|
| |
|
 |
Oswestry
Stunning views over open countryside towards the Welsh border are enjoyed by visitors to this delightful and very comfortable detached cottage. This is a wonderful location for walkers as Offa's Dyke long distance footpath is just 200 yards from the… Sleeps 2 + 1 + t/cot
More... |
|
|
| |
|
 |
Oswestry
Enjoying panoramic views over the Shropshire plains and Welsh hills - a paradise for walkers and bird watchers are these two very comfortable cottages. Careful conversions of former stables, they are set on a 150 acre working dairy and sheep farm just… Sleeps 4 - 4 + 1 + cot
More... |
|
|
| |
|
 |
Selattyn Oswestry SY10 7DH
A delightful two-storey cottage, featuring natural wood and beams, attached to the east wing of The Old Rectory and totally self-contained. It enjoys lovely views of the Shropshire countryside.The Old Rectory is located 3 miles from the ... Sleeps 3
More... |
|
|
| |
|
 |
Llangedwyn near Oswestry SY10 9LB
The Stables at Priddbwll Bach is situated on the Shropshire/Wales border, 7 miles from Oswestry, close to the Tanat Valley in an area of outstanding natural beauty.Its quiet, hideaway location, makes it an ideal choice for getting away ... Sleeps 4
More... |
|
|
|
|
|
Around
The Oswestry Area
|
Tourist Information on Nearby Towns To Visit - straight line distance:
Ellesmere (7.55 miles) Wem (13.86 miles) Shrewsbury (16.54 miles) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tourist
Information Offices
Oswestry
Visitor and Exhibition Centre
2 Church Terrace
Oswestry
SY11 2TE
Tel: 01691 662753
Oswestry
Mile End
Mile End
Oswestry
SY11 4JA
Tel: 01691 662488 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Our
Hotel Booking Line
|
|
Call
0870 4786316
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
the internet holiday and travel guide to the UK
