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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


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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The Smithfield Hotel 1 Salop Road Oswestry SY11 2NR  MAP
In the centre of Oswestry, The Smithfield Hotel offers rooms with LCD TVs, full English breakfasts, and free parking. Free Wi-Fi is available, and guests can enjoy freshly cooked cuisine in the restaurant.

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The Cross Keys Hotel North Road, Llanymynech near Oswestry SY22 6EA  MAP
Set within an 18th century listed building, this traditional hotel is situated in the unique village of Llanymynech, half of which is in Wales and the other half in England.

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Guest Houses Bed & Breakfasts Inns and Other Hotels


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  MAP

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Holiday Cottages


2 Nant Lane Cottages Selattyn near Oswestry SY10 7HA Tel: 01244 357717  MAP
2 Nant Lane Cottages is a early 19th century, stone-built semi-detached cottage set in the village of Selattyn, close to Chirk and Oswestry. This cottage sleeps three people in two bedrooms, consisting of one double and one single, as well as a bathroom....
Sleeps: 3 Bedrooms: 2 Bathrooms: 1 Changeover Day: Fri Price Guide: £250 - £460 a week.

Phone Bookings & Enquiries: 01244 357717
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Little Beeches Hengoed near Oswestry SY10 7ET Tel: 01244 357717  MAP
Situated in the peaceful hamlet of Hengoed, three miles from Oswestry and eight miles from the vibrant town of Ellesmere, this cottage has been fully renovated and furnished to a high standard throughout....
Sleeps up to 4 in 2 bedrooms
. Changeover Day: Fri Price Guide: 201.00-386.00

Phone Bookings & Enquiries: 01244 357717
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Butlers Quarters Henlle near Oswestry SY10 7AX Tel: 01244 357717  MAP
The Butler's Quarters is a semi-detached cottage in the grounds of Henlle Hall, a Grade II listed mansion located near to Oswestry in Shropshire....
Sleeps: 2 Bedrooms: 1 Bathrooms: 1 Pets allowed. Changeover Day: Fri Price Guide: £285 - £495 a week.

Phone Bookings & Enquiries: 01244 357717
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Days Out in and around Oswestry


Towns near Oswestry To Visit - straight line distance:

Chirk Tourist Information (5.00 miles) Ellesmere Tourist Information (7.55 miles) Llangollen Tourist Information (9.07 miles) Overton-on-Dee Tourist Information (9.17 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
Featured Hotel
Premier Inn Oswestry
Premier Inn Oswestry
Rods Meadow Maes-Y-Clawwd Maesbury Road Industrial Estate Oswestry
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