Shropshire
VIEWING THE OSWESTRY AREA FROM A WHEELCHAIR
Llwyd Mansion, Oswestry
Oswestry is a medieval market town which retains a lot of its original character. It has a good selection of shops, both well known stores and interesting smaller outlets. There is good access to most of these and sufficient dropped kerbs. One of the oldest buildings in the town Llwyd mansion situated on the junction between Cross Street and Bailey Street dates from 1604.
Oswestry and District Access Group have recently produced an updated version of their excellent 'Access Guide' which includes detailed information about shops and restaurants in the town. You can download it in pdf from their website www.access-oswestry.org.uk.
The following are some of the accessible attractions in the area and for accessible places to stay please scroll to the bottom of the page.
St Oswalds Church
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St. Oswalds Church
St. Oswalds Church in the town centre is one of several churches within the town and is well worth a visit. especially for the beautiful stained glass windows, and part of it dates back a thousand years. There is level access into the building and ramped access to the Lady Chapel.
The Heritage Centre
The Heritage Centre
Situated just behind the church is The Heritage Centre which is home to the town centre visitor information and a tearoom. It is an attractive timber frame property dating back to the fifteenth century which housed the Oswestry Grammar School founded by David Holbache in 1407.
The Medieval Tour
Themed guided walking tours are available every Saturday morning from Easter to September and start from the Heritage Centre and have routes that are suitable for wheelchair users. Victorian and Medieval trails conducted by costumed guides can be pre-booked for groups of six or more.The tours are an excellent way to learn about the turbulent history of a town set in the Marches where border conflicts between Wales and England were constantly being fought over the centuries.
Checking out no. 12 on the trail, Bailey Head
Alternatively there is a town trail leaflet available from the Heritage Centre which gives detailed descriptions of points of interest around a circular route within the town. Much of this is wheelchair accessible, however to get to the Broadwalk from the church grounds, wheelchair users will have to go out on to Church Street as the kissing gate is not accessible. Also point 11 on the route Castle Bank is not wheelchair accessible. Our researchers also found some parts of the trail quite steep and manual wheelchairs might require some able assistance to complete the full circular route.
Cae Glas Park
Cae Glas Park
Located within the centre of the town only a minutes wheel from the Heritage Centre is Cae Glas Park. It covers seven acres and and has attractive floral displays in the spring and summer months providing visitors and residents with a pleasant place to sit or stroll.
For more detailed accessibility information about the Heritage Centre and the Park please click here.
Whittington Castle
The entrance to the Gatehouse at Whittington Castle
Whittington Castle is a borderland castle (owned for centuries by the Fitzwarren family) approximately 3 miles from Oswestry. It is unique in that it is now owned on a 99 year lease by the local community who have just completed a £950,000 restoration project to improve facilities and access for all visitors. Improvements include a new cafe serving hot and cold light snacks, a wheelchair accessible lift inside the small 16th century cottage (attached to the gatehouse tower) and a good surfaced pathway and boardwalk across the moat and up on to the ramparts.
Our researchers trying out the accessible boardwalk
There is also an information room with interactive exhibits and a book shop as well two accessible toilets (N.B. the one adjoining the information room is large enough for several carers to assist if required). The castle was once a much larger structure and there are information boards around the site detailing its history.
For more detailed accessibility information and a link to their own website please click here.
Park Hall Working Farm
A Shire horse at Park Hall
Approximately one and a half miles from the town is Park Hall Working Farm which has good access to most of the site. There is a tearoom and a designated accessible toilet . It is also possible to handle small animals and to learn about milk production. Included on site is The Welsh Guards Collection, a Victorian School/ Museum and a classic car and motorbike collection.
Our Researcher Phillip trying our quadbiking for the first time
Quadbiking is one of the activities available and if you can transfer from your wheelchair then two of the Quad bikes are operated with hand controls. There are special events held throughout the year. However please bear in mind that there are a lot of activities for children are only suitable for those that are able bodied.
For more detailed accessibility information and a link to their own website please click here.
Chirk Aqueduct
Chirk Aquaduct
Fifteen minutes from Oswestry is the village of Chirk Bank. If you park by Monks Bridge on the canal, there is a well maintained tow path. This goes along beside The Llangollen Canal and over the Aquaduct, with splendid views over the Ceiriog Valley.
Chirk Castle
Chirk Castle
About a mile from the aquaduct is the medieval border castle at Chirk which has been continuously lived in for over seven hundred years, the last four hundred by the Myddelton family. Tickets are available from the Homestead Farm Visitor Centre adjacent to the car park. There is a wheelchair accessible courtesy bus from the car park to the castle. If you are not a wheelchair user but cannot manage the steps on to the bus there is a dropping off point outside the Castle entrance.
There is access to the staterooms both on the ground and upper floor via a wheelchair stair climber operated by a member of staff. As it is a requirement of health and safety rules please note that only one wheelchair is allowed upstairs at a time and it is advisable to ring and book beforehand to avoid disappointment.
Yeoman Warders on duty at the entrance
A large area of the extensive gardens are also accessible, look out for the wheelchair sign on an arched gateway as this is the disabled entrance. The Castle tea room has a separate level access, there are several shops at the Visitor Centre and designated toilets at the Castle and by the car park.
For more detailed accessibility information and a link to their own website please click here
N.B.The National Trust produce an Access Guide which covers all their properties and is available to order from their website.
The Earth Centre
The woodland walk at the Earth Centre
The Earth Centre is located in the grounds of the Derwen College just off the main A5 near the Orthopaedic Hospital at Gobowen. There is a 750 metre trail that meanders around the perimeter through an arboretum of indigenous species of trees. The woodland is quickly maturing and on the day we visited last Autumn there was plenty of autumn colour provided by berries and leaves. In the centre of the site are examples of different habitats including a small hay meadow and a pond, as well as an accessible bird hide and insect attracting shrubs.
The whole site is laid out with well signed wheelchair accessible paths and the centre is open Monday to Friday from 9am until 4 pm (except during the college holidays and occasional staff holidays). You can ring the college on 01691 661234 to check opening times.
The arboretum trail is now open at weekends and holiday times as well and can be accessed through wheelchair friendly kissing gates.
Our researchers trying out the verandah at Tiffins
After your visit, Betty's Coffee Shop (that serves excellent home made meals and wonderful cakes) or Tiffin's which serves light refreshements are only a few hundred yards away within the Derwen College grounds. Also on the site there is a garden centre, a walled garden, a farm shop, a gallery and the Orangery Restaurant.
For more detailed accessibility information and a link to their own website please click here
The Mere
The Mere
Ellesmere (approximately 8 miles from Oswestry) is home to one of the area's largest meres which is located on the edge of the town. There is a pleasant path that goes through the adjoining parkland and around the lakeside. Located on the promenade is a visitor centre where in spring Heron Watching takes place.Within the same building as the visitor centre is The Boathouse restaurant which has good wheelchair access and serves excellent meals.
Two of our researchers enjoying the view over the Mere
It is also possible to wheel along a section the Shropshire Union Canal towpath from the Wharf in the town centre. The town has an excellent selection of small shops offering a variety of goods including gifts, locally made craft work and locally produced food.
For more detailed accessibility information about the Mere and a link to the website please click here
Llanymynech Industrial Heritage Site
Researchers from Ifton Opportunities at the newly opened Hoffman Kiln, Industrial Heritage Site
The Heritage Site is located at Llanymynech is four miles south of Oswestry on the A483. There is a Visitor Centre (situated at the wharf on the left hand side as you enter Llanymynech from the north) which has displays detailing the industrial heritage of the area including the Hoffman Lime Kiln.
Wheelchair access to the kiln itself
There is a new trail extending the area of the Llanymynech Heritage Site that is accessible for wheelchairs users. It allows people with mobility issues to not only see more of the site but to be able to actually go inside the Hoffman Kiln. This is a circular trail of approximately 1 mile (category 3 which means manual wheelchair users may need the assistance of a fit pusher to access all areas).
For more detailed accessibility information, opening times of the centre and a link to the website please click here
We hope this information about Oswestry will encourage visitors of all ages to try an area that they otherwise might not have considered.
PLACES TO STAY
The Premier Inn Oswestry
Oswestry Premier Inn
The Premier Inn at Oswestry is located just off the intersection between the A5 and the A483 making it ideal for a stopover for those en-route to Ireland and North Wales or as a base to explore the North West of Shropshire and the surrounding borderland.
Using the hotel's internet facility
There are two fully accessible ground floor rooms with en-suite wet rooms. There is level access to the adjacent licensed restaurant where meals are served throughout the day.
For more detailed accessibility information and a link to their own website click here
Moreton Park Lodge
Moreton Park Lodge
Moreton Park Lodge is situated at the Gledrid just ten minutes north of Oswestry on the A5. It has two accessible twin/double rooms situated on the ground floor. The twin/double rooms have zip linked beds that allow for right or left hand transfer and wheelchair turning space. Each has an en-suite wheel-in shower room and toilet. A fold down z-bed is available on request. One of the rooms has a wheeled shower chair. Breakfast is served in the adjacent Lord Moreton restaurant and bar which has a children's playroom. This could be suitable for accompanied and unaccompanied wheelchair users.
For more detailed accessibility information and a link to their own website please click here
Also on the site is the extensive Moreton Park Garden Centre where there are shops, a café and another restaurant.
Lion Quays Hotel
The Lion Quays Hotel
The Lion Quays hotel, Moreton, Oswestry is situated on the A5/483 approximately three miles north of Oswestry. Set in attractively landscaped grounds adjacent to the Llangollen canal, the hotel has six accessible rooms, four with level access wheel-in showers, one with a ramped wheel-in shower and one with a bath. All contain twin beds and the rooms are spacious enough to allow wheelchair turning. The en-suites with the four level access showers have room to side transfer to the toilet, low level shower controls and a wheeled shower chair. A portable hoist can be hired by prior arrangement. Also on site are two bars, a restaurant and an accessible courtyard garden. Breakfast is served in the conservatory. This could be suitable for accompanied and unaccompanied wheelchair users.
For more detailed accessibility information and a link to their own website please click here
Lane Farm
Lane Farm
There is also Lane Farm at Criggion which offers Bed and Breakfast twin room accommodation on a working farm set in lovely countryside on the Shropshire/Welsh border. Attractive room with en-suite wheel-in shower and toilet (with room for side transfer). Breakfast is served in the farmhouse dining room.There is level entrance to property across concreted yard. This could be suitable for a wheelchair user accompanied by a companion.
For more detailed accessibility information and a link to their own website please click here
The Red Lion Coaching Inn
The Red Lion Coaching Inn
Or you could try the Red Lion Coaching Inn at Ellesmere which has two B&B ground floor wheelchair accessible rooms in the courtyard of the Inn. Both have en-suite wheel-in accessible shower rooms with fold down seats. Each has twin beds that can be zipped together to form a double. The furniture can be flexibly arranged to create more space if needed. Breakfast is served in the inn, access to which is up a steep ramp that will require assistance to negotiate. There is parking on site. This could be suitable for accompanied wheelchair users. Contact details :- Tel: 01691 622632
For further information on the accessible features and a link to their own website please click here
Mereside B&B
The courtyard garden of the accessible cottage at Mereside B&B
Also in Ellesmere is Mereside B&B which is situated on the A495 diagonally opposite the Mere and within easy wheeling distance of Cremorne Gardens and the town. The accessible cottage is one of three situated in the grounds of the farmhouse and as well as the accessible twin room it has a double sofa bed in the open plan living room. Alterations have recently been completed to improve wheelchair turning space in the en-suite wetroom. It also has a connecting door to the single/twin studio cottage next door which could be suitable for a carer/s or family members and makes it very flexible holiday accommodation.
The farmhouse dining room at Mereside
There is a bricked pathway leading through a gate to the farmhouse dining room where breakfast is served.
For further information on accessibility and a link to their own website please click here.
Hafod Holidays
Hafod B&B
Hafod is situated just outside of the market town of Oswestry on the Shropshire/Wales border and is ideal for exploring this beautiful area of England and North Wales. Snowdonia, Manchester and Liverpool are all within 2 hours travelling time whilst Chester and Shrewsbury are only 30 minutes away. This B&B has been specifically designed with wheelchair users in mind.
There is a spacious ground floor twin bedded room with an en-suite wet room. The owner has worked with people with disabilities for 30 years and is able to offer a care package for guests if required.
Also available is a double bedroomed chalet with en-suite bathroom situated in the grounds that could be suitable for people with disabilities who are ambulant.
Hafod Chalet
For further information on accessibility and a link to their own website please click here.
The Stables
The Stables
Alternatively there is The Stables at Sutton Farm, West Felton which offers self catering accommodation that sleeps 8+ . The accommodation is on two levels with separate accessible entrances to each area. The lower area has a room with a double sofa bed, kitchenette and en-suite accessible wheel-in shower and toilet (with room for side transfer). The rest of the accommodation is connected internally by several steps and comprises of ground floor shower room, kitchen and lounge and upstairs bedrooms. Wheelchair users can access these other ground floor rooms by wheeling along the patio and in through a second door. The outside patio has two sets of tables and chairs and fantastic views over the surrounding countryside towards Wales. Up to 2 dogs are welcome but please bear in mind it is a working farm. This could be suitable for accompanied wheelchair users.
For more detailed accessibility information and a link to their own website please click here
Dee Valley Cottages
Swallows Cottage
Dee Valley Cottages are situated approximately 17 miles north west of Oswestry adjacent to the A5. They are set on the slopes of the picturesque Dee Valley overlooking the surrounding countryside and would make an ideal base for exploring North Shropshire, Cheshire and North Wales.
The ground floor bedroom
Swallows has a ground floor twin/single bedroom and an adjacent shower room with a level access shower, upstairs is a further bedroom which could be suitable for family members or a carer/carers. The owners have made a great deal of effort to ensure the cottage is both accessible and a pleasant and comfortable holiday experience.
Enjoying the view over the valley
There is level access throughout the ground floor of the cottage including the decked patio with its stunning views of the valley through which the Llangollen heritage railway also runs. Visitors also have access to the garden and the owners are happy to accept pet dogs as well as assistance dogs (with prior notice).
For more info on accessibility at Swallows and a link to their own website please click here