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Oswestry

Nestled beside the Welsh border in northwest Shropshire, Oswestry is a thriving market town that blends the best of England and Wales. It’s a true melting pot, where ancient history and industrial heritage live on beside eclectic markets, indie bookshops and friendly cafes. Be inspired by the Old Oswestry Hillfort – or just slow down and soak up the beauty of Cae Glas Park.

Nestled beside the Welsh border in northwest Shropshire, Oswestry is a thriving market town that blends the best of England and Wales. It's a true melting pot, where ancient history and industrial heritage live on beside eclectic markets, indie bookshops and friendly cafes. Be inspired by the Old Oswestry Hillfort – or just slow down and soak up the beauty of Cae Glas Park.

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Top things to do near Oswestry

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Top things to do near Oswestry

A unique patchwork of historic sites, thriving markets and natural splendour.

Oswestry is a feast for history lovers, chill-seekers and outdoor enthusiasts alike. This is a place where the markets are older than the mechanical clock, yet always promise new surprises. It’s a place where you can climb an Iron Age hill fort in the morning and be sipping tea in a friendly cafe by mid-afternoon. And if you feel for a moment that you might be in Wales, don’t be surprised. Oswestry’s location on the Welsh border has given it a distinctly Anglo-Welsh identity that’s quite unlike anywhere else.

Whittington Castle | Visit Shropshire

The Street Circus Comes to Oswestry

Don’t miss THE STREET CIRCUS on Bailey Head – Saturday 19 April 2025 from 11am till 4pm!
A FREE EVENT with a whole host of amazing Street Circus Acts and Walkabout Performers!
This was the 2024 Lineup
DJ Booth | Pete Anderson | Able Mable | Granny Turismo | Van Dunk Brothers | The Maniax
PE Teachers | Unicycle Walkabout | PC Gone Mad | Stilt Walker Ring Master
Team BeeGee | Madame Peacock | Maynard FlipFlop
SEE YOU THERE 🙂
  • Saturday 19th April
  • 11:00 - 16:00
  • Bailey Head, Oswestry, Shropshire, UK and through town
Sat 19 April 2025

A weekend in Oswestry

Shop the famous markets

First held more than 800 years ago, Oswestry's markets are as charming and vibrant as ever. Today, the town holds a lively indoor market, as well as its famous street market. Visit either and you'll discover an eclectic mix of crafts, foods and curiosities. And don't miss the artisan and late-night markets on the last Friday of every month

Go on a walking tour

Want to dig deeper? Collect a town map from the Tourist Information Centre and get ready to discover Oswestry's hidden nooks and crannies. Follow the Oswestry Heritage Trail to learn about the town's railways, buildings and the gory history of Oswald's Well. Or take a tour that traces the early life of war poet Wilfred Owen, who was born here in 1893.

Indulge in food, drinks and fun

Why not spend the evening in one of Oswestry's many traditional pubs? Many offer live music, as well as hearty pub grub. You'll find plenty of charming restaurants and cafes too, where you can plot your next adventure or sit and watch the world go by.

Take part in a free event

Oswestry is well-known for its free town events. There's the dog-friendly Oswestry Food and Drink Festival in July, the unique Hot Air Balloon Carnival in August and regular family events within the grounds of the beautiful Cae Glas Park. Whenever you visit, you won't be short of things to do.

Planning your trip

Getting to Oswestry is simple, whether you’re driving, taking the bus or travelling by train.

Travelling by car

Oswestry is easy to reach by road via the A5, A495 or A483. You’ll find several car parks that put you close to the town centre and its amenities.

Travelling by bus or coach

Regular bus services run from Shrewsbury, Ellesmere and Wrexham to the centre of Oswestry.

Travelling by rail

Oswestry’s closest railway station is in the nearby village of Gobowen. It’s served by regular services from Shrewsbury, Wrexham and Chester.

North Shropshire

North Shropshire blooms with history, character and adventure. This is a land dominated by wildlife-rich meres, peaceful canals and romantic castle ruins – each whispering stories of centuries-old political intrigue.

Keen to explore? Don’t miss out on North Shropshire’s charming market towns, like Oswestry, Whitchurch & Market Drayton to name a few. You’ll discover plenty of opportunities for rest, relaxation and hearty Shropshire food and beer.

Take a trip to the engineering marvel of Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and follow the winding canals as you explore this lesser-known part of Shropshire’s rural landscape.

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