It must be Monday, it must be Beeston Castle! The Sandstone Ridge Trust continues to promote and deliver the 21 events that have been organised as part of our Walk, Talk and Ride Festival 2024.

Other than early fog, the weather cleared, the panoramic views were sensational and the sense of tranquillity and remoteness confirm that the landscape quality and natural beauty of this area are remarkable.

There was unanimous support that Carl Jones, our lead volunteer, should receive an accolade. He was superb – enthusiastic, informed and engaging.

The mission of the Trust is to conserve, connect and inspire. Everyone commented on what a truly remarkable area the Castle and woodland comprise.The connection with nature, heritage and the rural way of life was immediately apparent and everyone was inspired to better understand this magical place.

And inspired we were! Carl had us climbing up the rocky crag, circling the strong defensive curtain wall which was punctuated with defensive towers, investigating the entrance points into the castle (if walls could talk), understanding the difference between traditional and more modern methods of castle building and stressing that the Castle included the site of a much earlier prehistoric hillfort. In fact, the huge range of prehistoric artefacts found on and around the site confirm its importance in the distant past.

Beeston Castle was built on top of prehistoric earthworks; occupied and used by its local community. Previous archaeology has shown that Beeston was a settlement since at least the Neolithic period (c3,000BC) and discovered bronze objects, suggest that it was an important metalworking site between 1,000BC and 7,000BC.

As if this was insufficient, all attendees will never forget the date 1225 i.e. when the site was selected by Ranulf de Blondeville, 6th Earl of Chester, for his castle. Carl was not content until we were confident in this fact and confident we were! To find out more about the legacy of Ranulf de Blondeville then TAP HERE.

Yet more, we then enjoyed a personal tour of the reconstructed Bronze Age Roundhouse.

Heritage at every turn.

Our thanks to Carl in particular and to the enthusiasm of the entire group.

Funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.