It’s a name that often leaves tongues in a twist and there is a surprising amount of history behind the Lancashire town.
Oswaldtwistle, pronounced "oz-uhl-twi-sl", is a town in east Lancashire, nestled between Blackburn and Accrington in the borough of Hyndburn.
Known affectionately as "Ossy" by locals, the town stretches along Union Road and features a blend of historic terraced housing and newer estates, with easy access to countryside walks and the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.
The origin of its unusual name is rooted in legend and Old English.
It is widely thought to come from the word "twistle," meaning "where two brooks meet," combined with the name Oswald.
While some folklore connects the town to Saint Oswald, King of Northumbria, historians have suggesed it could refer to an Anglo-Saxon landowner.
Oswaldtwistle’s industrial heritage remains visible today.
Oswaldtwistle Mills, housed in a former 19th-century weaving mill, has been transformed into a thriving shopping destination.
The town also has connections to James Hargreaves, the inventor of the Spinning Jenny. This revolutionary device transformed textile production across the globe.
Hargreaves is an ancestor on the family tree of former owners of Oswaldtwistle Mills.
A memorial garden in nearby Stanhill honours Hargreaves’ contribution to the industry.
Rhyddings Park was once the grounds of textile manufacturer Robert Watson’s home and has served the community since 1909. He owned Stonebridge Mill and later Rhyddings Mill towards which his new house faced.
Another key landmark is Oswaldtwistle Library, which opened in 1915.
It is one of many libraries around the world funded by philanthropist Andrew Carnegie.
Despite a temporary closure in recent years, the library remains a valued community hub in Union Road.
The town is located on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal and is known for its industrial heritage and enduring sense of community.
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