Oswestry, Market town in Shropshire, England
Oswestry is a market town in Shropshire that sits at the foot of the Berwyn Mountains and extends between two ancient earthworks, Wat's Dyke and Offa's Dyke. The centre is compact, with shops along the narrow Bailey Street and Church Street, which gather around an open marketplace.
King Oswald of Northumbria died in 642 during the Battle of Maserfelth fought near this settlement, and the town carries his name. An Iron Age hill fort north of the centre bears witness to the military importance in pre-Roman times.
The market runs on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, with stalls selling produce like fruit, vegetables, meat and sometimes Welsh specialties. Around Church Street and Bailey Street, timber-framed buildings stand out, showing the heritage of this border region.
A Tourist Information Centre in the town centre provides details about nearby attractions, walking routes and events. The hill fort is reachable on foot from the centre, with the path rising over grassy slopes.
A fountain on the marketplace called Holbache Well is decorated with figures recalling the Welsh trading roots. In some lanes you can still find old boundary stones marking the shifting borders between England and Wales.
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