Name: Beeston Castle and Woodland Park
Address: Chapel Lane, Beeston, Cheshire, CW6 9TX
Telephone: 01829 260464

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Beeston Castle and Woodland Park

Legendary Joust Sat 3 - Sun 4 Aug 2019

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Two visitors enjoying the view at Beeston Castle

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Address

Chapel Lane, Beeston, Cheshire, CW6 9TX

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Things to See and Do

Bronze age objects found at Beeston Castle.

Beeston roundhouse

People have lived and worked at Beeston since prehistoric times. But look around the site today, and little visible evidence remains of the site’s early origins.

We want to help bring Beeston’s Bronze Age past to life. So this spring we start work building a new roundhouse at the site, revealing how people may have lived up to 3,000 years ago.

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What's On

Get Hands on with History at Beeston Castle

Sat 20 Jul - Fri 2 Aug 2019 11am - 5pm
Legendary Joust

Sat 3 - Sun 4 Aug 2019 11am - 5pm
Get Hands on with History at Beeston Castle

Mon 5 Aug - Sat 24 Aug 2019 11am - 5pm
Warriors at Beeston Castle

Sun 25 & Mon 26 Aug 2019 11am - 5pm
Get Hands on with History at Beeston Castle

Tue 27 Aug - Sun 1 Sep 2019 11am - 5pm
Building Bronze Age Beeston

Wed 25 Sep 10.30am - 3pm
Autumn Fair

Sat 5 - Sun 6 Oct 2019 11am - 4pm
Spooky Beeston Castle with Creepy Critters

Sat 26 Oct - Sun 3 Nov 2019 11am - 4pm
Get Hands on with History at Beeston Castle

Sat 15 - Sun 23 Feb 2020 10:30am - 3:30pm

Timeline

Bronze Age (C 3500-2000 BC)Prehistoric Beeston

A bank is created at the base of the crag and the site attracts Bronze Age metalworkers.

Iron Age (C 1200-1 BC)Hillfort

The site is transformed into a substantial hillfort with earthwork defences.

1220sFirst Castle

Ranulf, 6th Earl of Chester, one of the greatest barons of England, starts to build the ‘Castle of the Rock’.

Find out more about the history of Beeston Castle

1237Royal Castle

Henry III seizes Beeston.

1245Welsh Prison

Hostages from Wales are held at the castle. The outer defences are completed.

Major rebuilding works include three new towers and a massive bridge leading to the inner bailey's outer gate.

Read a description of Beeston Castle

1399Royal Treasure

According to legend, Richard II hides part of his treasure at Beeston Castle in the inner ward well, before being captured by the future Henry IV.

1400-1600The Castle Abandoned

The abandoned castle is left to fall into ruin.

February 1643Civil War

A garrison of 200-300 Parliamentarians occupies the castle.

13 December 1643Royalists Breach Beeston

In a midnight raid, Captain Sandford leads nine Royalists to take control of the inner ward. Parliamentary leader Steele dines with them and sends beer to their men before surrendering.

1644-5Royalist Surrender

The Royalist garrison is besieged by the Parliamentarians for nearly a year. Starved out, they finally surrender and Parliament demolishes most of the castle's defences.

1840sTourist Attraction

Lord Tollemache buys the estate and builds his own castle opposite Beeston. He promotes it as a tourist attraction and stocks the grounds with kangaroos and deer.

1945Annual Event

The first Beeston fête is held. It becomes an annual event on August Bank Holiday.

1959-84Beeston Today

The castle is taken into state care and becomes the site of major excavations before being taken over by English Heritage.

Learn more about the history of Beeston Castle

Nearby Places
Similar Places

Chester Roman Amphitheatre
9.36 miles from Beeston Castle and Woodland Park
Chester Castle: Agricola Tower and Castle Walls
9.6 miles from Beeston Castle and Woodland Park
Sandbach Crosses
13.63 miles from Beeston Castle and Woodland Park

Iron Bridge
35.55 miles from Beeston Castle and Woodland Park
White Ladies Priory
36.61 miles from Beeston Castle and Woodland Park
Wingfield Manor
51.94 miles from Beeston Castle and Woodland Park

Nearby Places
- Chester Roman Amphitheatre
  9.36 miles from Beeston Castle and Woodland Park
- Chester Castle: Agricola Tower and Castle Walls
  9.6 miles from Beeston Castle and Woodland Park
- Sandbach Crosses
  13.63 miles from Beeston Castle and Woodland Park
Similar Places
- Iron Bridge
  35.55 miles from Beeston Castle and Woodland Park
- White Ladies Priory
  36.61 miles from Beeston Castle and Woodland Park
- Wingfield Manor
  51.94 miles from Beeston Castle and Woodland Park