School trip to Beeston Castle and Woodland Park
Beeston Castle with its impressive location and natural defences has been home to prehistoric settlers, great barons, it’s acted as a defence against aristocratic rivals and it’s even been an important English Civil War stronghold.
Climb to the top of the castle and peer down into the spiraling well below.
This is one of the deepest castle wells in England, steeped in legend as the hiding place of Richard II’s lost treasure.
Thought to be buried here in 1399 the treasure has been missing for centuries despite many attempts to find it.
Enjoy the fresh air as you wander along the winding woodland paths surrounding the castle.
The beautiful habitat and surrounding Cheshire landscape is a paradise for walkers and nature lovers.
Beeston is home to a wide variety of wildlife from foxes, rabbits and bats to buzzards and even peregrine falcons.
Re-live 4,000 years of history as you explore the fascinating ‘Castle of the Rock’ exhibition.
Travel through time from the Bronze Age to Beeston’s glory days as a medieval fortress to its ultimate decline in the Civil War.
What we see today is a picturesque ruin of a once formidable castle as captured by Turner in his 1809 painting.
FREE SELF-LED VISITS
Can your class gather the evidence and clues to discover what life was like in and around Beeston Castle centuries ago? Take in the stunning views, explore the evidence of castle life and take your class right back to Medieval times or investigate the prehistoric landscape and look at artifacts found on site in the museum.
Organise your day to suit your curriculum needs. Climb the hill to look out over the surrounding landscape, explore the castle ruins and peer down the well, one of the deepest castle wells in England. Discover the Bronze Age story of Beeston in our newly completed roundhouse. Made using traditional materials and techniques, it is based on archaeological evidence of Bronze Age huts found at Beeston and offers an idea of how prehistoric settlers might have lived.
The woodland surrounding the castle contains a diverse range of plants and animals, and provides an excellent opportunity to learn about KS1-2 science topics in an outdoor environment.
EXPERT-LED DISCOVERY VISTS
Let them help you inspire your students with one of our hands-on expert led Discovery Visits delivered by one of their experts and great value for up to 30 students.
Take your class back in time to investigate life in the medieval fortress castle or explore the site’s history as an Iron Age hill fort and take part in prehistoric style crafts.
- FORTRESS CASTLE (KS1-KS2): Your class will travel back in time, looking for evidence in the remains of the castle to help explore key events and form conclusions about daily life for the castle’s inhabitants. Duration: 1 1/2 hours
- PREHISTORIC SETTLERS AT BEESTON (KS2): Explore the site’s history as an Iron Age hill fort and take part in prehistoric style crafts using traditional tools. Duration: 1 3/4
SCHOOL CURRICULUM LINKS FOR KS1 & KS2
- KS1, 2 & 3: Local history study
- KS1: How people’s lives have shaped this nation and how Britain has influenced and been influenced by the wider world
- KS2: How several aspects of national history are reflected in the locality, and an aspect of history or a site dating from a period beyond 1066 significant in the locality
FACILITIES FOR LEARNING GROUPS
- PARKING: Car park with coach parking opposite entrance
- TOILETS: Male and female toilets available.
- EXHIBITION: Can accommodate small groups, disabled access available
- LUNCH: Picnic areas outdoors
- SHOP: Gift shop on-site, they recommend you bring your class in small groups at a time