We visited Beeston Castle, Cheshire in June 2007 as part of our summer cruise of North West England. You can see the castle, one of Cheshire's most distinctive landmarks, looming large, high on 100m tall rocky crags about 1km to the south of Wharton's Lock, where you can pick up the well defined ‘Sandstone Trail' across pasture fields. 
Beeston Castle, Tarporley, Cheshire, CW6 9TX is an English Heritage property* with an entrance charge applying. The 'Syrian' style castle that was commenced in 1225 was inspired by Ranulf, the 6th Earl of Chester's crusading exploits to the Holy Land and replaced the original Bronze Age hill fort and earlier earthworks. There is archeological evidence of over 4,000 years of use by humans. 
The extensive remains of the castle can not fail to amaze you - especially the water well in the main inner bailey (almost a 6 second, stone's drop to the bottom!) over 100m deep, through solid rock to reach the Cheshire water table below. The defensive 'inner ditch' is crossed by a modern steel bridge to the inner gatehouse. 
Beeston Castle has commanding views over the Cheshire Plains and was ideal for defending the English border against the Welsh - with points around the compass; To the north - the Shropshire Union Canal, to the north east - Jodrell Bank radio telescopes, to the east - the Pennine Hills, due south - Shropshire's Wrekin Hill and the privately owned Peckton Castle, to the west - the Welsh Mountains and to the north west Chester and Liverpool. Other points of interest are the WWII fuel bunkers along side the railway (and canal) to the west of Tiverton. 
The castle was seized by King Henry III in 1237 and remained a Royal Castle until the 16th century. During the English Civil War, Beeston Castle was an important stronghold, playing an major part in the fighting in Cheshire, being occupied by both warring sides (Parliamentarians - the Roundheads and Royalists - the Cavaliers) at different times between 1642 and 1646. 
Today Beeston Castle has a modern - mock castle - gatehouse and the site is walled. The whole area is slowly becoming naturalised with birch, rowan, oak and bracken but English Heritage have plans to control the growth and return the land features to the 13th century landscape. Ravens and lately Peregrine Falcons nest on the near vertical rock crags. There is a wide variety of flora and fauna on site. Listen out for the woodpeckers. 
The gatehouse contains an interesting thematic Beeston Castle display, gift shop and snacks. We recommend that you take a picnic and plenty of drinking water up to the inner castle bailey and take your time to explore the ruins, enjoy the views and relax - hopefully in the sunshine!
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