Imagine this hilltop about 1000BC. No castle of course, but the hilltop was occupied and fortified. 
By 800 BC the roundhouses were built and between 650 – 250 BC an iron age hillfort was created as defences improved. Construction of the medieval castle began in 1220 AD by the Earl of Chester and these are the remains.
Archaeological excavations undertaken at Beeston Castle during the 1970s and 80s uncovered evidence of several Bronze Age roundhouses inside the castle walls. Based on the findings, the roundhouse was reconstructed in a disused quarry from traditional local materials such as oak, hazel, ash and reeds for the thatch.
The image below was borrowed from the English Heritage information board to give an idea of the size of the building. In between the three central posts was the fire pit and there could have been as many as twelve people, including children, living and working in one roundhouse. There was no opening for a ‘chimney’ for two main reasons, the smoke kept the wildlife out of the thatch and the updraft may have caused sparks to be drawn up towards the thatch and cause a fire.
betweenthelinesbookblog.com 
I love reconstructions because I never quite ‘get’ pictures on information boards. It looks like a fascinating place.
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I know what you mean. It was a hell of a climb but very interesting.
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Wonderful post, Cathy! I really love seeing sights (and sites) like this one, especially with some history and interesting information included. Thank you! 🙂
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Thanks, Marcia 🙂 Glad you enjoyed it.
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How utterly gorgeous and so fascinating! just WOW!
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Awesome post, Cathy!! ❤
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Love that reconstructed roundhouse! We are lucky to live in a country that’s been settled for so long, with layers of history and archaeology everywhere around us… 😀
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We are indeed…if only the weather was better it would be heaven 😁
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wow, that is sooo amazing. love the pictures. you can almost feel the aura in places like that. great post!
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Thank you! It was an experience!
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How lovely post for me, who loves art and history. Castle looks awesome. BTW, now when Coronavirus has spread, have you read The Plague by Albert Camus? It’s now topical! I suggest!
Have a good day!
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So glad you enjoyed it and thanks for the recommendation!
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I love to visit ruins! Sadly many are not well preserved.
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Me too. Some better than others.
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The castle must have been stunning, as are the ruins atop the hill. The views are breathtaking! I can’t imagine living in a roundhouse, but their construction is interesting. So much has changed, but with the craziness going on here, I’d like to hide away in those ruins. 🥰
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Yes, it must have been amazing. It was quite hazy that day but when it’s clear… I love getting insights into how life was so long ago. Hiding in the ruins sounds like a great idea! 😉😘
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Thanks so much for the wonderful pictures and the history lesson that went with it. I have always been fascinated with history and I enjoyed this very much.
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So glad you enjoyed it, Geri, and thatnks for commenting.
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