Shropshire Routes to Roots

3. The view from the air - Oswestry

This 1:2500 scale map of Oswestry dates from after 1884. As well as the image on this page, you can also view:

• Larger 1884 map, unhighlighted (Opens in a new window [Large file: 213kb])
• Modern map, grid SJ289293 (Link courtesy of Streetmap.co.uk. Opens in a new window.)

Reproduced from the 1884 Ordnance Survey map [Shropshire Archive reference: DP513]

Railway

The most dramatic change to Oswestry's 'shape' is the decline of the railway. The huge Cambrian Works (1) have vanished, and the lines of track have been reduced. Although trains still pass through Oswestry, the nearest station is in Gobowen, four miles away.

Suburbs

As in Shrewsbury, post-war housing has sprung up on the outskirts, especially to the west and east (2).

Industry

As well as the railway works, to the northwest of town a tannery (3) was once a major employer. This has now vanished. However, to the east the modern map shows a large waterworks.

Road

When it comes to cars, Oswestry faces the same problems as other medieval towns. A complex one-way system has been designed to keep traffic flowing through.

In addition, the A483 and A495 bypass the town, and provide fast links to North Wales and Welshpool respectively. For cars coming from Shrewsbury along the A5, rather than having to pass through Oswestry they can skirt round it.

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