Oswestry Town Museum Proudly Presents
Their Oswestry and Beyond National Heritage Open Days festival for 2026
The festival runs from Friday 11 Sept until Sunday 20 September inclusive
OSWESTRY TOWN MUSEUM EVENTS
Oswestry Town Museum Guildhall, Bailey Head
Open every day 11-20 Sept, 10am–3pm
Everyday Histories Exploring Stories of Working Lives
New for 2026
Manchester Ship Canal Display available every day 11-20 Sept
Pop in and see our new display on the Manchester Ship canal and its links to the Montgomery canal with the fascinating story of ‘the Danny’ steam powered boat, originally built by the Shropshire Union and Railway Canal Company and now fully restored and operational. The display includes a model of the Danny along with the bell for a sister ship ‘The Dorrington’ and other interesting artefacts.
Exploring stories of everyday lives
Each day during the Heritage Open Day Festival, the museum will feature one story of someone with connection to Oswestry and look at their working life.
A full list of the people being featured will be available on our website prior to the festival with a presentation each day at 12pm.
At other times, Volunteers will be on hand to show where the stories are featured in the museum.
Stories like ‘my Mum an Ellesmere girl’ and the story of the Boys High School Athlete who became a gun toting sheriff in America.
The history of ‘the Lock and Key’ and the connection between Phoebe Parrish and the coalmines of Trefonen.
Everyday histories of ordinary people.
The Gilbert and Gordon Story
The beautiful love story of Gilbert and Gordon told through a collection of queer love letters written during World War II.
A short Hollywood film has been made that brings their story to life.
Contents from the letters recently featured on Radio 4 during a Sunday evening programme called ‘illuminated’ under the title ‘Dear Gilbert, Dear Gordon’. This followed a live performance at Sheffield Docfest.
This is a story that continues to grow, keeps on creating interest and focuses the whole world on Oswestry and its history.
A display based on the letters is available to view every day of the festival 11-20 September, in the museum 10am–3pm and includes the enigmatic ink to ash to diamond ring created from the ashes of hundreds of secret love letters.
Park Hall Camp Display
Park Hall Military Training Camp and its connections with the world, Oswestry Town Museum, Guildhall, Bailey Head open every day 11-20 Sept, 10am-3pm. A fascinating display looking at the workings of Park Hall Military Training Camp, the soldiers who trained there and their stories.
This display has continued to grow since its creation in 2025, so much so that we have extended the display area to double its original size due to the interest and support from those who spent time in Park Hall Camp.
Come and read some of the stories and how the camp was viewed by all who trained there.
A special booklet created from the display by John Davies is available to purchase from the museum at £5.
NEW for 2026
When Oswestry was under the sea
Available to view every day in the museum 10am-3pm.
A fantastic display of shells, rocks and Minerals of interest to all ages, read the story of when Oswestry (and Shropshire) was at the bottom of the ocean.
This Display kindly created for the museum by Shimmer Hughes.
Beyond Events for 2026
Melverley Church
History of Melverley church St. Peter’s Church, Church Lane, SY10 8PJ 11-20 Sept, 10am-3pm. Visit St Peter’s Church in Melverley, a beautiful 12th Century church on the Welsh border. Open daily throughout the festival.
Learn about its fascinating history at a presentation on 19 September at 11am and 2pm, pre-booking not required just drop in.
Tanat Valley Light Railway
Tanat Valley Light Railway Nant Mawr Visitor Centre, SY10 9HW 11-20 Sept, 10am-3pm.
Lots to see and do for all the family at this small heritage railway. Nature walks, quirky railway vehicles, monorail rides and more.
Volunteers are working hard to get the fairground ride operational so that it can be demonstrated running, however rides will not be available on it this year. Chat to our volunteers about future plans including the 507 group and the restored MonoLoco steam engine believed to be the only true steam monorail engine in the world.
See our awe-inspiring lime kilns, reputed to be the tallest in the UK in physical height and look at the way they were extended, supported and enlarged. Come and explore the architecture needed to create a railway.
Special displays will be on show during each day of the festival and volunteers will be on hand to give guided tours of the site and to talk about recent progress and future plans.
Open every day throughout the festival 10am-3pm. Site café open both weekends, tea and biscuits available at other times.
