Oswestry Castle Community Research Project

The Oswestry Castle Community Research Project was established in 2014 to investigate the history and archaeology of Oswestry castle. This castle was built on a prominent steep sided mound which now sits in the centre of Oswestry. Today very little remains to be seen on the top of the mound, the most noticeable being sections of mortared stones that may once have been walls. The project hopes to be able to explain what these lumps of stone actually are and to tell their story. These investigations are expected to take at least five years. The aims of the group are;

 

1. To examine all the known written historical and archaeological sources relating to the castle.

2. To excavate on the castle mound to discover what still may remain of the castle. This may reveal much more about what structures once stood here and provide evidence of when it was built.

3. To research the social and political events that have impacted on the castle especially in the medieval period and later.

4. To create and publish a written and photographic record of the group’s findings.

The project group are all volunteers who possess the same passion for archaeology and a desire to learn more about what was an important but largely forgotten castle. The team consists of an Archaeologist with several experienced and qualified assistants and a small but growing group of volunteer excavators. The work of the group and the excavations undertaken is funded mainly by donations, most notably from the Heritage Lottery Fund. The excavations are usually undertaken in September to coincide with the national Heritage Open Days weekend, although in 2017 to 2019 there will be additional excavations in May.

The planned excavation dates will be published in advance and will be open to the public. For visitors there is a large car park adjacent to the site and plenty of cafés, pubs and restaurants a few minutes’ walk away.

We would also like to thank Historic England for scheduled monument consent that allows us to excavate, Oswestry Town council (the landowners) for their help and support, and the volunteers, without whose enthusiasm and commitment the excavations would not have been possible.