Oswestry

Whittington Castle

"Oswestry, a pretie towne full fine... It stands so trim, and is maintained so cleane And peopled is with folke that well doe meane."

Thomas Churchyard - 17th Century Shropshire poet.

Oswestry, named after King Oswald of Northumbria, who died in AD641. He was nailed to a tree - hence the name "Oswald's Tree". According to legend a passing eagle took a limb but dropped it and where it landed a spring burst forth - St Oswald's Well. Amazing Stuff!

Pistyll Rhaeadr

In Oswestry, Shropshire meets Wales and this borderland town is steeped in history, myth and ledgend. Today the influence of Wales is still felt and you'll hear a blend of languages as you browse around. Rich in history Oswestry may be but it's still a vibrant and vital market town, the largest in the Borderlands, with more than its fair share of small speciality shops and a thriving street market. Bargains await.

Oswestry actually boasts two markets - one in town at the Horse Market & Bailey Head. The other, outside town, is the Oswestry Smithfield livestock auctions. If you fancy fresh farm produce and home-made foodstuff, plus the necessary bargain offer, you'll enjoy Market Day hugely.

Ancient signs are all around. The Oswestry Hill Fort - a remarkable series of seven ditches and banks, known as Caer Ogyrfan (after King Arthur's father in law), is said to be the birthplace of Queen Guinevere. Merlin, the magician, who lives his life backwards, is soon due to arrive. Of all the ancient hillforts in Shropshire, Old Oswestry is the most spectacular.

Blackgate

Offa's Dyke marks out the old border on one side of the town and Wat's Dyke marks out the other. There are wells and springs named after saints, which are said to have powers to heal the believer or at the very least, inspire the more cynical.

Spectacular limestone cliffs at Llanymynech where lead, copper and zinc have been mined since Roman times is now a haven for wildlife and a unique Hoffman Horizontal Kiln (whatever that is!).

Oswestry is home to poets, musicians, eccentrics, heros and villains. It was the birthplace of Sir Henry Walford Davies, organist, composer and Master of the King's Musick, and Wilfred Owen, the best of the English First World War poets, was born here in 1893. "...my subject is war and the pity of war. The poetry is in the pity."

The Reverend Spooner, of Spoonerism fame, was "Heducated 'ere" at the local Grammar School (founded in 1407). Now a Heritage Centre where you can pick up the town trail and find out lots more.

Pontcysyllte Aqueduct

You may hear tales of local eccentric Mad Jack Mytton, whose exploits included riding a bear across his dining room table. Why did he do it? Because the bear was there, we suppose. No less entertaining for those present was his cure for hiccups - he set fire to his shirt. The jury is still out on how successful this was.

Whittington village is reputedly home of Dick Whittington, who went on to find fame and fortune in London. Whittington Castle is a picturesque moated castle and is the site of regular events and fairs. The Castle was once the home of Fulk Fitz Warine who, in the days of bad King John, became Shropshire's own Robin Hood. A similar claim is made of Highwayman Humphrey Kynaston whose hideout was a cave at Nescliffe. Even our outlaws were gentlemen. It is the Shropshire influence.

Cae Glas Park

Just over the border lies Pistyll Rhaeadr - one of the Seven wonders of Wales and at 240 feet it is taller than Niagra Falls. You'll be amazed by its beauty as the waters crash through the natural rock formations. The breathtaking scenery of the Welsh mountains invading Shropshire invite you to take to the hills.

The meeting of cultures here in Oswestry sparks a certain creativity and the local crafts reflect this. Anglo-Welsh designs can be found in the shops and at the craft centres at Llangedwyn Mill and at Melverley.

Oswestry is the best place to start exploring the Welsh Mountains and discover the delights of Lake Vyrnwy and the charm of both Chirk and Powis Castles which are just down the road. Don't miss Pontcysyllte Aqueduct at 126 feet above the River Dee, it is one of Thomas Telford's masterpieces.