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Beeston

A craggy cliff suddenly rising 500ft from the Cheshire Plain, its summit crowned by the ruins of Beeston Castle (English Heritage), Beeston Hill is one of the most dramatic sights in the county. The castle was built around 1220 but didn’t see any military action until the Civil War. On one rather ignominious occasion during that conflict, a Royalist captain and just eight musketeers managed to capture the mighty fortress and its garrison of 60 soldiers without firing a shot. A few years later, Cromwell ordered that the castle be “slighted”, or partially destroyed, but this “Castle in the Air” is still very imposing with walls 30ft high and a well 366ft deep. An old legend asserts that Richard II tipped a hoard of coins, gold and jewels down the well, but no treasure has yet been discovered. The castle hill is a popular place for picnics, and it’s worth climbing it just to enjoy the spectacular views which extend across seven counties and over to a “twin” castle. Peckforton Castle looks just as medieval as Beeston but was, in fact, built in 1844 for the first Lord Tollemache who spared no expense in re-creating features such as a vast Great Hall and a keep with towers 60ft tall. The architect Gilbert Scott later praised Peckforton as “the very height of masquerading”. Its authentic medieval appearance has made the castle a favourite location for film and television companies, and on Sundays and Bank Holidays during the season the Middle Ages are brought to life here with mock battles and tournaments. The castle also offers guided tours, refreshments and a speciality shop.