Beeston Castle, Rawhead, Bulkeley Hill (12 Miles, Moderately Easy)

Here's a nice simple one after a few ambitious outings.

The ruins of Beeston Castle stand as a prominent landmark as they sit atop the rocky sandstone crag in an otherwise mostly flat landscape.

I say mostly because there are a few other hills in the area, and we'll be traversing at least two of them on this trek around the west Cheshire countryside.

The route roughly follows the loftiest parts of the Sandstone Trail, passing Peckforton Castle and summiting both Rawhead and Bulkeley Hill. That said, there isn't anything too strenuous on this one compared to the usual Macc Marauder effort.

If people fancy a bit of history, we should be back in time to explore the castle for a hour or so before it closes for the day. Free for English Heritage members. An arm and a leg for everyone else.

Meeting point

9:45 AM at Beeston Castle car park which is £3 all day or free for England Heritage members.

Public transport

The Stagecoach 84 bus runs hourly and is roughly a 35–45 minute journey from Chester or Crewe. It stops at Tiverton Heath Cottage, which is approximately a 15-20 minute walk to the castle.

Dogs

Well behaved dogs are welcome on the walk and in the pub afterwards.

What to bring

Please bring a packed lunch, water and appropriate clothing/footwear for the weather and terrain.

DISCLAIMER

Please acknowledge the following:
• The walk is entirely free of charge. You only arrange for your own travel and pub expenses.
• Understand our terms and conditions below (the "IMPORTANT" part).
• Understand how to stay safe outdoors, as you will be responsible for yourself.
• Walk distances can be up to 15 miles or more and we can be out for as long as 5-7 hours.
• We usually stop for a packed lunch and pop in to a country pub for a post or mid-hike drink.

Feel free to ask any questions in the comments section!

Here's a guide to the difficult rating:

• Easy - Short distance, less than ten miles and mostly flat. Suitable for anyone capable of a brisk stroll.

• Moderately Easy - Shortish distance, around ten miles, some gentle hills. For those who walk regularly but don't have too much hiking experience.

• Moderate - Between ten and twelve miles, a few decent hills with potentially steep sections. For those with some hiking experience.

• Moderately Challenging - Longer distance, twelve miles or over with lots of hills. Suitable for hikers who enjoy being out for most of the day.

• Challenging - Around fifteen miles or more, with hills, mountains and maybe the odd scramble. For experienced hikers who like pushing themselves.

• Hard - Long distance, sometimes over twenty miles, with mountains and difficult terrain. Only suitable for fit, experienced hikers.

IMPORTANT
Please bear in mind this is a free of charge, self-guided trip with a hobby group. It is not organised by a business nor any entity with commercial purposes. Any trip details, travel advice, route planning, instructions and other content in our group merely represent our shared personal knowledge, research and suggestions as outdoor enthusiasts. As this is not a business, there is no "product", "service" or "package" and also no "tour guide", "operator" or "walk leader". Each participant is responsible for their own safety. Even if some of us are very experienced walking outdoors, nobody assumes responsibility for any kind of injury, damage or loss that may happen. Our experienced members volunteer their time and effort to shape a pleasant and quality adventure for everyone. By participating you acknowledge and agree with this disclaimer.