Open from the end of July – You’ll have great fun finding your way through the puzzle of pathways
Returning for another fabulous summer season the maize maze is a must to try. Navigate your way through a labyrinth of pathways with lots of dead ends and u-turns.
Dino Show Fun Time
Meet a humungous T Rex
Fossil Digs
Get involved in our Fossil Dig and discover Dino bones, ammonites and gastropods
Egg Hunts
Discover and identify the dinosaur babies
Follow the Dino Egg Trail to earn a prize
Hunt for hidden eggs
Meet with friends or family for a traditional Summer Afternoon Tea at Derwen College’s Garden Cafe from 12th to 28th August.
The college, near Oswestry, will be serving up an elegant selection of traditional afternoon tea treats at the Garden Café this summer.
Enjoy a delicate assortment of finger sandwiches. Then indulge in freshly-baked scones and cream with Derwen’s home-made jam, followed by home-made cakes and pastries and an unlimited supply of tea and coffee. All for just £8.95 per head.
Eat in the cosy café or make the most of the sun in the Garden Café’s outdoor space before enjoying time at the College’s Garden Centre and Shop and beautiful Walled Garden.
Discover how the Victorians harnessed steam to power their engines and other machines on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 August, when Blists Hill Victorian Town, near Ironbridge, Shropshire will be ‘in steam’. The weekend will provide a rare chance to get up close and personal with an eclectic collection of Victorian steam powered machines, all of which will be in their full working splendour.
The Town’s replica of Trevithick’s 1802 Coalbrookdale locomotive will be running; the original is believed to be the world’s first steam locomotive. Other museum engines in steam will include ‘Billy’, a fantastic 1903 Wallis & Steevens road roller as well as a variety of special guest machines including rare ploughing engines.
free family event from 12pm
Travel on replicas of our original 1903 Great Western liveried carriages with goods wagons and brake van attached. Watch the shunting at the turnaround. Additional historical activities each weekend.
Steam trains funning on Cambrian Railway.
We are very pleased to welcome the Wrexham Bowmen to Chirk Castle to offer have-a-go archery over the summer.
Whether you’ve never picked up a bow before or you’re the kind of person who can split someones arrow ‘in twain’ this is a great opportunity to have fun with a beautiful backdrop.
It is £1 for six arrows to take part, with as much or as little help as you require. We can’t guarantee you’ll hit the target, but it’ll be good fun trying!
The wonderful Blists Hill Morris Gang will be entertaining the crowds with traditional dances in the lower part of the Town at 11.15am, 2pm & 3pm.
Performances will likely take place near to the Ironworks and, when the sun is shining, they’ll be roaming the Town. Check with costumed staff on the day for details.
You can watch, and even join-in, some traditional Morris dances and other activities and around lunch time the musicians may be found performing in the New Inn Public House.
We’re not scared. Go in search of the pictures of bears around the meadows, with the bears wanting activities to be carried out at each stop; explore sounds, blow bubbles, make mud fairy cakes and enjoy a bear’s favourite food at the end of the trail cooked over a camp fire. Monday 19th August – Friday 23rd August 1pm-2.30pm. £4 per accompanied 3-11 year old. Booking advised.
Our Ranger Team will meet you in the car park at 21:00 (20:30 in August) and show you the best spot to watch the bats emerging for the night.
Then using bat detectors they’ll lead a walk through the gardens, picking up all of the best spots and passing on their expert local knowledge. Expected finish time 22:30 (22:00 in August).
Join international bestselling author Phillipa Gregory as she talks about her new novel Tidelands, the first in a brand new historical series.
Why are insect populations collapsing around the world? Why are there fewer birds and frogs? What is happening to Nature in Shropshire and the Welsh Borders? To round off Oswestry’s first Festival of Nature, Damian Carrington, the Guardian’s environment editor will moderate a major debate at the Willow Gallery about the steep decline of the natural world and what we as individuals can do. Entry will be free, but you will need a ticket.
Massive event with over 25 hot air balloons featured all day from our beautiful park. Free family event, Continental Market, street food and entertainment.
Huge family event. Over 30 balloons launched from the town centre. Fantastic spectacle. Night glow is main attraction. fairground, food producers, entertainers
Diesel Gala at Cambrian Heritage Railways
Matt Billing who makes Ascension Cider in Sussex is a keen hot air balloon pilot and is sponsoring the Oswestry Balloon Carnival flyers this year. We will be having a small cider festival in The Bailey Head with a range of his cider, perry an flavoured ciders during the festival. All ciders will be £3.60 a pint.
Welcome to the Sweeney’s Fourth Annual Gin-Fest – August 24th & 25th. Come and meet the exhibitors on the Saturday & Sunday, sample their wares and buy a bottle of your favourite (1-6pm). A plethora of Live Music both days. Street food and our wood fired pizza’s will be in full flow….. Various Gin Bars will be open around our grounds and in the Exhibitors room. For those that are not partial to Gin we have a fully stocked bar in the hotel. Don’t forget the fireworks to close the night on both Saturday and Sunday!
Tickets are priced according to date and include entry to the Sweeney, a Gin on arrival and all entertainment
All Gin and mixers are priced at £5.00. Cocktails will be individually priced.
Our Sponsor this year is our Locally made Gin Henstone!
Travel on the special evening train from Llanfair at 18.30; at Welshpool we will serve you your fish and chips to enjoy on the journey. We pause in Castle Caereinion to pick up ice cream too. Advance booking and menu selection essential.
Whittington Castle Car Boot Sale. £5 per car if you are selling items – free entrance to visitors to the sale. Cars from 8.30am onwards. No need to book just turn up and staff will show you where to set up and collect your fee. Sorry no trade stands. Dogs on leads are welcome. Tearoom will be open selling hot drinks and bacon baps etc.
Antiques and collectibles fair, we hold it the last Sunday of every month. Cambrian House Emporium Oswestry.
Industrial Diesel Gala at Cambrian Heritage Railways 25-26th August
ALMoS ANNUAL GRAND RE-OPENING AND JEWELLERY EXTRAVAGANZA!
Guaranteed smiles!
Industrial Diesel Gala at Cambrian Heritage Railways 25-26th August
A variety of bushcraft projects practicing knots and using wood. From learning a knot that will become a leash on a log pet or pushing out pith to make a puppet or necklace to splitting sticks and drilling holes to make an animal.
Monday 26th August – Friday 30th August 1pm-2.30pm. £4 per accompanied 3-11 year old. Booking advised.
Come and join The Wild Craftist in our beautiful Grand Valley, where he will be giving you the chance to make your very own troll to take home with you.
Mister Magnolia has many things, such as an old trumpet that goes rooty-toot, some very fat owls learning to hoot, a big purple dinosaur who’s a magnificent brute, two sisters who play the flute, and even a swimming pool. But he still only has one boot!
No admission ticket for the castle is needed to see the show. An admission ticket is needed to enter the castle and gardens
Bring along your picnics, blankets and folding chairs
Our Ranger Team will meet you in the car park at 21:00 (20:30 in August) and show you the best spot to watch the bats emerging for the night.
Then using bat detectors they’ll lead a walk through the gardens, picking up all of the best spots and passing on their expert local knowledge. Expected finish time 22:30 (22:00 in August).
A day of meeting the birds and have a go handling experiences with Shropshire Falconry and their amazing birds of prey.
Our biggest event of the year, again over three days. Every operating engine will be in use. Traction engines, steam cars and lorries, a model railway exhibition, demonstrations and trade stands, and a shuttle bus to the associated Llanfair Garden Railway Show up the hill at Llanfair High School.
Starring Taron Egerton, Jamie Bell, Richard Madden, Bryce Dallas Howard, ROCKETMAN is an epic musical fantasy about the uncensored human story of Sir Elton John’s breakthrough years.
Film starts at 7.30pm with refreshments, themed crafts and a licensed bar available from 6.30pm. £5 per adult, £3 per child, £15 per family, booking advised.
Local Shropshire Beef Burger with homemade relish in a sourdough bun with fries and sweetcorn. £7 booked in advance, £8 on the night.
Join us to commemorate the Battle of Crogen, which took place in 1165 in the Ceiriog Valley, between the forces of Henry II and the combined forces of the Welsh princes.
Local re-enactment group Cwmwd Ial will make an encampment to represent the Welsh forces, and Les Miles des Marches will represent the English forces. Take a look around the different encampments, see the differences in arms and armour, and learn about everyday life in the early medieval period.
Living History Weekend – exact details to follow shortly but The Beaufort Companye portrays the household of a retainer to the Dukes of Somerset and the Beaufort Family during the late 15th Century, specifically the period known as the War of the Roses. Our aim is to bring to the public a new and exciting interpretation of the period via our authentic and interactive portrayal of medieval military and civilian life
Join us to commemorate the Battle of Crogen, which took place in 1165 in the Ceiriog Valley, between the forces of Henry II and the combined forces of the Welsh princes.
Local re-enactment group Cwmwd Ial will make an encampment to represent the Welsh forces, and Les Miles des Marches will represent the English forces. Take a look around the different encampments, see the differences in arms and armour, and learn about everyday life in the early medieval period.
Calling all music fans! Join much loved radio broadcaster and TV presenter Mark Radcliffe as he talks about his new book Crossroads and takes us on a personal journey picking out those moments which changed music history.
Working closely with community supporters The Qube, Oswestry Markets host a charity market on the Bailey Head aimed at raising important funds and awareness for a wide number of local charities. 9am until 3pm
Prepare to laugh the night away at our comedy and curry night – this promises to be a hugely popular and entertaining evening with a line-up of hilarious comedians.
Ian Stone is a British stand-up comedian, broadcaster and writer notable for appearing as a guest on shows like Mock the Week and is also a regular guest on BBC Radio 5 Live’s Fighting Talk. He currently presents the weekday breakfast show on London-based digital and AM sports radio station Love Sport Radio.
Kate Lucas is an award-winning musical comedian known for her razor sharp and deliciously dark songs. She combines catchy melodies with original lyrics to showcase her playfully bitter musings on life. Audiences have come to expect what not to say and how not to behave from this gloriously talented young comic.
Jonathan Elston is a fresh, punchy, gag-driven comic who combines sharp joke writing and quirky observations with a youthful likability that charms his audience and endears him to any room.
7pm doors open
8pm Jonathan Elston
8.20pm interval
8.45pm Kate Lucas
9.10pm interval
9.30pm Ian Stone
10.15pm Depart
A cash bar will be available throughout the night serving soft and alcoholic drinks. Treat yourself to a delicious curry, rice & naan for just £8.95.
Tickets for Comedy Night are £20 per person and will be available from this website soon.
We recommend this event is suitable for people aged 16+. Parking is at Coalbrookdale Museum of Iron & Enginuity.
Free events for Heritage Open Days at Cambrian Heritage Railways. More details soon.
Whittington Castle Car Boot Sale. £5 per car if you are selling items – free entrance to visitors to the sale. Cars from 8.30am onwards. No need to book just turn up and staff will show you where to set up and collect your fee. Sorry no trade stands. Dogs on leads are welcome. Tearoom will be open selling hot drinks and bacon baps etc.
Free events for Heritage Open Days at Cambrian Heritage Railways. More details soon.
