About

Oswestry is the third largest town in Shropshire with a population of 17,000; it is five miles from the border with Wales and has a mixed Welsh and English heritage with many Welsh language street and place names. The town changed hands between the English and the Welsh a number of times during the Middle Ages; later, Oswestry was attacked by the forces of Welsh rebel leader Owain Glyndwr during the early years of his rebellion against the English King Henry IV in 1400.

In 1190 Oswestry was granted the right to hold a market each Wednesday and today it is the largest market town in Shropshire; a magnet for trade from both sides of the border, from wool to cattle, the markets have brought riches and visitors to this busy town.

A gateway to the northern part of Mid Wales, roads run from Oswestry to the Ceiriog Valley, Llanrhaeadr, Llansantffraid, Llanfyllin and Lake Vyrnwy. The nearest railway station to Oswestry is at Gobowen (3 miles) which is on the Shrewsbury to Wrexham, Chester and North Wales route.