Oswestry

Small town with big ideas

Oswestry may not be the largest of places, but for growth, appeal and local status it certainly packs a punch

DID YOU KNOW? The very first Iceland food store opened its doors here in 1970!

Enticing alleyways encourage you to explore

Nestled on the England/Wales border, midway between Wrexham and Shrewsbury, Oswestry has a mixed heritage that it is proud to shout about. The name Oswestry was first recognised in 1191 as the Middle English version, Oswaldestroe, which derives from the name Oswald and the word for tree, treow. Some records suggest ‘treow’ could have meant cross, so there is ambiguity – but we know for certain who Oswald was, and it’s a grisly tale.

King Oswald of Northumbria died at the Battle of Maserfeld in 642 and legend suggests that his dismembered arm was carried by a raven to an ash tree, bestowing upon the tree miraculous powers. At the same time a spring, called Oswald’s Well, is supposed to have leapt from the spot where the bird dropped the arm, and the water was believed to have healing properties, particularly for eye complaints. Other historians argue that the Shropshire town was named after Oswy, Oswald’s brother, who battled King Penda here in 655. Whoever is right, one thing is sure – people have lived and thrived here throughout history, with the oldest settlement, Old Oswestry, being one of the most well-preserved Iron Age hill forts in Britain.

Homes and halls

Modern times

Skipping forward several centuries, Oswestry was mentioned in the Domesday Book in 1086, granted a market charter in 1109, changed hands between England and Wales multiple times, was burnt almost to the ground in 1400, was held siege by Royalists in 1644 and claimed by Parliamentarians, before being left to get on with developing into the town we know today.

With a population of around 18,000, it still boasts a large number of ancient structures and historic buildings, and it is still a market town – although after the foot and mouth outbreak in the late 1960s, the livestock market was moved out of the centre.

Park Hall estate on the outskirts, now home to a children’s farm, was used by the Army for training in both world wars, but in the intervening years became well known as a motorcycle racing circuit. The town has

strong military connections, as a base for Canadian troops after 1945, and then as the home of the Royal Artillery until 1975. And war poet Wilfred Owen was born here. The town has preserved some beautiful architecture, not least the Guildhall, meeting place of Oswestry Town Council, which was completed in 1893. Brogyntyn Hall belonged until recently to the Lords Harlech; its future is currently under debate. Other local attractions include Cae Glas Park, Shelf Bank, Wilfred Owen Green, Oswestry Castle and the Cambrian Railways Museum. There’s a world-leading orthopaedic hospital and some of the best schools in the country. Canal, rail and road links in all directions add to the town’s appeal, while the former racecourse is a haven for wildlife. The imposing entrance to Cae Glas Park

THINGS TO SEE AND DO Oswestry Town Museum

The Guildhall, Bailey Head, Oswestry SY11 1PZ

Cambrian Railways Museum

The Old Station, Oswald Rd, Oswestry SY11 1RE

Park Hall Countryside Experience

Park Hall, Oswestry SY11 4AS