Guidebook: Beeston Castle
The medieval ruin of Beeston Castle stands on a rocky summit 500ft above the Cheshire plain. Splendid views extend from the Pennines in the east to the mountains of Wales to the west. The fortification dates from 1225 when it was built by Ranulf, the sixth Earl of Chester, following his return from the Crusades. The earl introduced new methods of castle building gleaned from his travels to the Middle East. The castle was seized by King Henry III in 1237 and it remained in royal ownership until the 16th century. It was refortified during the Civil War, when the Royalist garrison was besieged by Parliamentary forces and finally surrendered in 1646.