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Oswestry A5 north west from Shrewsbury
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ShropshireOswestry

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 
Admission Charge
 
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

Call our Hotel Telephone Reservations Line: 0870 4786316

Hotels


? Price based on cheapest room for 2 people per night available in next few days
Prices from: £124 a room a LivePriceTM
Pen-y-Dyffryn Country Hotel Near Oswestry SY10 7JD MAP
Perched almost a thousand feet up, this beautiful silver-stone Georgian rectory is situated in the Shropshire hills The hotel offers superb accommodation including some bedrooms with private patios, others with spa baths or jacuzzis

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? Price Guide shown for a room for 2 people per night is based on the lowest price per person per night available in the future
Price Guide: from £85 per room
Wynnstay Hotel Church Street Oswestry SY11 2SZ MAP
The Wynnstay was a well known Coaching Inn on both the route from Liverpool to Cardiff and from London to Holyhead. There are references dating back to 1727, but the existing building is typical of the Georgian period, and there have been many ...

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Sebastians Hotel 45 Willow Street Oswestry SY11 1AQ MAP

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Guest Houses, Bed & Breakfasts, Inns and Other Hotels


? Price based on cheapest room for 2 people per night available in next few days
Prices from: £70 a room a LivePriceTM
Lion Quays Hotel Moreton Nr Weston Rhyn Oswestry SY11 3EN MAP
With direct access from the A5 road, Lion Quays is surrounded by our own grounds and rolling countryside. Easy to find hard to forget, underfloor bathroom heating, power shower, air con bedrooms, LCD flat screen tv's.

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Travelodge Oswestry A5/A483 Mile End Service Area Oswestry SY11 4JA

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Holiday Cottages


The Old Mill Annexe 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

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The Pigsty Cottage 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

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The Old Stables 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

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The Old Rectory Cottage 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

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The Stables 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

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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)

Info
Tourist Information Centre

Where To Stay

What To See

Around The Area
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
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