“Favourite Walks around Oswestry and the Borders” – a book of walks to be published by the Oswestry Group of the Ramblers.

ISBN 978-1-906494-16-2

In the far north-west of Shropshire, the historic border market town of Oswestry nestles against the Oswestry Uplands in an area that has Wales to the west, north and south. The area was once in Wales and still is true border country where many villages in England have Welsh names and Welsh is commonly heard spoken, particularly on market days. It is a very special area, where Wales meets what we think of as ‘our forgotten bit of Shropshire’. This is wonderful and very varied walking country. Immediately to the east of the town lies the relatively flat Shropshire plain, where, in addition to quiet country lanes and a network of field paths, there is ample opportunity for leisurely rambles along the towpaths of the Montgomery, Ellesmere and Llangollen canals. The Oswestry Uplands to the west of the town stretch from Llanymynech Rocks, in the south, to Chirk, just over the river Ceiriog into Wales; the long distance Offa’s Dyke Path follows the line of these hills. There are some spectacular distant views across much of Shropshire and into Wales from the high points on this ridge. Then there are the two little-known but beautiful river valleys close by in neighbouring Wales. To the south, the Tanat valley wanders through farming country from the foothills of the Berwyn Mountains. The narrower Ceiriog valley stretches from the village of Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog, deep in the same foothills, downstream to Chirk, and on to join the Dee.

This book was born out of an idea to record some of our members’ favourite walks in this outstanding walking country for posterity. The result is the 18 walks described, they are all between 4 to 6 miles in length and range in difficulty from leisurely to strenuous. They cover the area from the Ceiriog Valley in the North to Rodney’s Pillar in the South. We hope the book is of interest to both residents and visitors.

The book will be available at a price of £4.95 from local retail outlets from around the 20^th of July 2009, will be on sale at the Ramblers stand at the Oswestry Show on 1^st August or can be obtained from Peter Carr, Secretary to the Oswestry Group of the Ramblers (Tel 01691 780 722)