Beeston, Higher Burwardsley and Spurstow

Eric Davies

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From the car park at the castle, we utilise the Sandstone Trail around Peckforton Castle to the summit of Bulkley Hill, with good views as far as Shropshire and the Staffordshire Hills, then take lanes and field-paths back to the castle.

Standing majestically on sheer, rocky crags, Beeston Castle has perhaps the most stunning views from any castle in England. Its history stretches back over 4,000 years, to when it was a Bronze Age hill-fort.

The huge castle was built from 1226 and soon became a royal stronghold, only falling centuries later during the English Civil War. Inspired by what he had heard when knights returned from the Holy Land in the early thirteenth Century, Earl Ranulf of Chester had set about building himself this virtually impregnable castle.

The above info from: www.ukattraction.com/north-west-england/beeston-castle.htm

See also: www.heritage.me.uk/castles/beeston.htm

England - North England - Cheshire - Countryside

Features

Ancient Monument, Flowers, Good for Kids, Great Views, Hills or Fells, Tea Shop, Toilets, Wildlife, Woodland

8/9/2017 - Eric Davies

I have simplified the instructions Where Mr Adams found a difficulty, awaiting administration to update. Apologies for any misunderstanding.

5/13/2017 - Roger Adams

A very enjoyable walk, but with problems. At waypoint 29 the directional arrows point south, with no sign of a track in any other direction. I had to turn left and follow the fence, then continue in that general direction over open farmland for about one mile. Eventually I located the track leading to White Gate Farm and reached waypoint 35. There are no footpath signs, and I only found my way on the second attempt by using GPS, map and compass. Sorry I can't give more detailed directions.

4/6/2017 - Eric Davies

Thanks Lee for advising about this path stoppage. I have advised the Peak and Northern Footpath Society, in order to try and solve the obvious dispute. In the meantime turn left at WP 39 and follow the road till you see a finger post on your right, take the path right along the hedge, and at a stile on your right turn left towards Beeston Castle. Please take care on the roads, the instructions will be amended asap.

3/27/2017 - lee holmes

WALKED THIS ON 25/03/17 POINT 40 IS NOW A NO GO THEY HAVE CLOSED THE FOOTPATH AT IVY COTTAGE SO HERE'S WHAT I DID... AS YOU COME UP THE LANE/ROAD AT POINT 39 TURN LEFT AND FOLLOW THE ROAD UNTIL YOU SEE A STILE ON THE LEFT GO OVER IT HEADING TOWARDS THE CASTLE IN THE DISTANCE

2/27/2012 - Walkingworld Admin

Our thanks to David Thrift for his updates for this walk. February 2012. Adrian (Admin)

2/26/2012 - David Thrift

A very enjoyable walk with great views of Beeston Castle, Peckforton Castle, and across the Cheshire Plain. We got a little confused around WP30 due to frisky heifers in fields and temporary electric fencing preventing direct access across to some stiles. But when you're walking through such beautiful countryside and farmland, what can you expect!

12/29/2011 - David Sinkins

I felt the length and overall difficulty were fine for my age and fitness levels (approaching 40 with some extra weight). I completed the walk at a gentle pace in 3 hours, 20 minutes. The start of the walk was really nice, passing a few lovely wattle & daub residences which were very charming. The views of the castle over the field at WP 7 & 8 were really nice. Into the woods after WP 8 and after that it was a very gentle amble, apart from the uphill section at WP 9. It had stone steps which made it easier to climb. After that, over some fields and uphill a bit to take in the views at the top of Bulkley Hill. A nice little break with some stunning views were in order at this point! Downhill towards WP 20 and then onto the road at WP 21. This was a poor section of the walk I thought, following the road for the best part of a mile and then turning right onto the fields at WP 22. WP 24 to 27 went through a patch of woods that I found rather spooky, but fun! After that it was plain sailing over many fields, some of which would be filled with crops at other times of the year. I'd imagine one could get a little disorientated with high crops in the way. Following the rest of the waypoints I continued over the fields back to my starting position near the castle. Overall, I enjoyed this walk. I got out of breath a few times, but other than that it seemed a straightforward walk. The long road at WP 21 and the fields towards the end made the last third of the walk slightly boring I thought.

8/12/2009 - Walkingworld Administrator

This walk has been checked and Eric is pleased to report the path, with the unexpected rabbit holes to watch out for, to the stile at waymark 26 was found to be perfectly clear and there was no growth obscuring the fields or stiles between waymarks 28 and 29. The grass was not too long to be walked on this occasion. Walkingworld does not recommend the route along the A543 as it is busy and there is no footway for much of it. There have been crops in some fields but to be certain of locating the correct direction across fields where paths are not obvious or crops are high please follow the field’s edge around until the exit is reached or use a compass (or a GPS). Footpaths through Haycroft Farm have been extremely well regenerated and walkers will have no difficulty at this point (new photo to come).