Oswestry has so much for heritage lovers, in a beautifully compact town centre. The architecture on show from gabled black and whites whose origins stretch back to the 1300s on Beatrice St, through the industrial revolution to the French Inspired Victorian Guild Hall. From the Hill-fort to the beautiful Georgian fronted Wynnstay Hotel, there is something for everyone. Visit Oswestry offer guided walks from the TIC in the Market on a Saturday morning through until September 28th There is always something new to learn!
Once you decide to leave town, the local villages show the historical importance of the borderlands, and the wealth of historical gems continues. The Montgomery & Llangollen Canals, once the arteries of industry, now offer peaceful havens for wildlife. A trip across the aqueducts at Chirk and Froncysyllte in a narrow-boat is an adventure not for the faint hearted but our friends at Anglo-Welsh will look after you. A more sedate horse-drawn option leaves from Llangollen wharf towards the beautiful Horseshoe falls.
Llanymynech, about 20 minutes from Oswestry boasts a beautiful heritage area where nature has been allowed to soften the industrial scars on the landscape in a thought-provoking way. It also hosts a Hoffman Lime kiln which is an impressive structure to explore.
Llanfyllin workhouse once the place of last resort, is an imposing building in the stunning Cain Valley, now home to artists and crafts people with a lovely new café, pretty gardens, heritage centre and second-hand bookshop it plays host to a full calendar of events through the year. Sunday 8th September will be their Food Festival where tasty treats music and crafts are on the menu.
Oswestry also has a rich cultural heritage The well renowned Atfield theatre company is based in the Guild Hall and there are many other active groups providing everything from Shakespeare to Farce. Live music thrives in venues like the Hermon Arts Chapel and Bailey Head pub as well as in the churches and village halls. The Artefact residencies have their exhibition on Market days through September in the old Yoga Centre and Oswestry has many independent shops and galleries including our own little market gallery alongside the TIC.
Visit Oswestry and discover this hidden gem for yourself because there is so much to see and do in Oswestry & Borderlands.
