Beeston Castle

Beeston Castle is a ruined sandstone fortress perched on a dramatic rocky crag in Cheshire, about 50 kilometres south of Manchester. It was built in the 1220s by Ranulf, 6th Earl of Chester, who reportedly modelled its hilltop defences on castles he had encountered during the Crusades. During the English Civil War the castle changed hands more than once before being deliberately slighted — rendered militarily useless — by Parliamentary forces, which is why it survives as a ruin rather than an intact structure. On clear days the upper ward commands views said to stretch across eight counties. Managed by English Heritage, the surrounding woodland park adds waymarked trails to the visit, making it a rewarding half-day trip for walkers and history enthusiasts alike.