Summary

The edge of the outer bailey of Beeston Castle is formed of a combination of natural defences and manmade ditches and scarps to the north and east, and a curtain wall to the south with nine D-shaped towers, two forming the gateway. The wall is built of roughly coursed red sandstone. Each tower has one or two lateral arrow slits which cover the curtain walls. The lower courses of the walls and towers are all that remain, the upper having been demolished on around 1646. Excavations during 1978 - 1981 revealed that outer gateway originally had a timber ramp or bridge. The south gate tower has evidence of medieval occupation including stake holes, post holes, shallow pits and hearths. In the later medieval period, a substantial latrine tower, with facilities at first and second floor levels was constructed. The tower was also used during the civil war when the castle was refortified. Finds from this period include large quantities of black glazed pottery, slipwares, clay pipes, musket balls and window glass. After the Civil War a certain George Walley was said to be living in a cottage in the outer gate in the 1690s. There followed a period of natural decay, after which the gatehouse was dismantled, leaving a 1m deep rubble deposit over the approach road. In the eighteenth century the existing hollow-way approach was cut.

Monument Types

• BAILEY (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
• CASTLE (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
• DITCH (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
• TOWER ( 9 of, Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
• WALL (Wall-stone, Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
• QUARRY (AD 18th Century to AD 19th Century - 1700 AD to 1899 AD)

Associated Finds

• MUSKET BALL (English Civil War - 1642 AD to 1651 AD)
• TOBACCO PIPE (English Civil War - 1642 AD to 1651 AD)
• UNIDENTIFIED OBJECT (English Civil War - 1642 AD to 1651 AD)
• UNIDENTIFIED OBJECT (English Civil War - 1642 AD to 1651 AD)
• WINDOW GLASS (English Civil War - 1642 AD to 1651 AD)

Protected Status

• Listed Building (I) 1130513: WALLS OF THE OUTER BAILEY AT BEESTON CASTLE
• Conservation Area 117: Beeston
• Scheduled Monument 1007900: Beeston Castle; Medieval Enclosure Castle And Site Of Late Prehistoric Hillfort

Related records

Search results generated by the HBSMR Gateway from exeGesIS SDM Ltd.