The castle was built by Ranulf, Earl of Chester in the 1220s on a clifftop overlooking the Cheshire plain.

The castle consists of two circuits of walls. The inner wall is marked by an impressive gatehouse. In 1237 the castle passed to Henry III and was used as a prison during his wars with Wales.

Edward II built further walls and strengthened the towers. By the time of his murder, at Berkeley Castle in 1327, Beeston Castle was almost complete.

During the Civil War the castle was in a strategic position and was besieged. Although the castle had its own well, starvation forced the garrison to surrender.

At 370 feet deep the well is one of the deepest castle wells in Britain. It can still be seen near one of the D-shaped towers in the inner bailey.

Beeston Castle Opening Times
2008: 21 Mar-30 Sep: 10:00-18:00 Mon-Sun; Oct-Mar: 10:00-16:00 Mon & Thu-Sun. Closed 24-26 Dec and 1 Jan.
  Tel: 01829 260464 Beeston Castle Website