Stormin' Normans threaten Beeston Castle's defences

Saturday 4 & Sunday 5 August 2012

One of Cheshire’s most iconic landmarks is set to be invaded by a host of Norman warriors on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 August, as re-enactors from The Household lay siege to Beeston Castle for two days of battle and living history.

Turning back the clock to the 13thcentury, visitors could be fooled for thinking they have stepped into a warzone, as skirmishes and battles break out around the castle’s grounds in a series of dramatic scenes of early Medieval military might, with longbows, spears and swords put to deadly use to defend the castle!

“Beeston Castle is one of the most dramatically-sited fortresses in Britain, sitting on top of a cliff which has views over eight counties, so this has never been a castle that would be attacked by stealth – you can see the enemy approaching from miles away!” comments English Heritage’s events manager, Charlie Evans. “Indeed, history shows us that sieges at Beeston Castle were long and arduous with attacking forces having to fight up a steep hill to approach the castle, and the inner bailey protected by a deep ditch to the front and cliff to the rear.”

Between the dramatic military encounters, visitors will be able to wander around the camps of both the attackers and the castle guard for fascinating living history displays. Away from the battle, visitors can also enjoy woodland walks around the perimeter of the site on a route that takes in the varied forest habitats within the site’s outer walls.

The event runs from 11.00am to 5.00pm each day, with Beeston Castle and the Woodland Park open from 10.00am to 6.00pm daily. Admission prices to the event are £6.50 for adults, £6.00 for concession and £4.00 for children, or free for English Heritage members. Car parking charges apply.

Norman Storm is the first of two major historical events at Beeston Castle during the summer holidays. Visitors are invited to return on Saturday 18 & Sunday 19 August when an altogether less pleasant aspect of medieval life – death and disease – is explored in an engaging and entertainingly dark look at execution, surgery and funeral rituals!

For more information, please visit www.english-heritage.org.uk/beeston or call 01829 260464.

ENDS

For further media information, please contact:

Jay Commins – PRO English Heritage (West Midlands)

Tel: 0113 251 5698

Mob: 07810 546567

Email: jay@fim.org.uk