Cheshire Walks - Beeston & Sandstone Trail Circular

First bimble of the year, sandstone trail. First bimble of the year, happy new year. Where are you today Mike? Well they've already read the video so they know you're out beasting on the sandstone trail and you're right that's where you So first walk of the year, just getting over a bit of a flu. So a nice sort of three point something walk around the beasting area. I'm going to be skirting around Beaston Castle, Peckforton Castle and then I'm going to end up coming back in on that road. Now sandstone trail. Now I'm not sure how this intro is going to go now because I was doing my piece to camera as you do and then my son rang so I had to stop. Thanks son. Anyway as I was saying I'm doing something called the sandstone trail, a tiny section of it anyway. It is a much bigger walk, it's about 35 miles I think, 35-40 miles. I haven't done it, never done it. However I do have a really good mate, Phil. Morning Phil, who's done the whole trail. He really likes to do the long distance walks, overnight camping, that sort of thing. So if that's what floats your boat and you want to see the bigger part of this trail I'll link his account somewhere around once I figure out how to do it. You can go and watch him do the sandstone trail but this one is only about, I'd say, about three and a half four miles. It'll be boggy, it'll be hilly in part but a lovely walk. So we're here. It's raining and the weatherman said it wasn't going to be. Let's go. It's a lovely walk this, really is. I'm not sure how it actually correlates to the the proper sandstone trail but it's lovely. It takes in two castles, Beeston and Peckforton. Goes through some nice woods around Peckforton Estate. You end up going through a really lovely gatehouse. I'll show you that in a bit. And there's something called the Peckforton Oak which is a really, I'm losing the title, really massive oak tree but it's been around forever. Some say, Jeremy Clarkson, some say it was planted at the same time that Beeston Castle was sort of established and we're talking about the 1200s for that. It's a really old tree. Keep it on the down low because we don't want idiots that have done the same thing to that tree up north. Ridiculous. But yeah, it's a really lovely walk. It doesn't take long. It's off the beaten track so again if you're not looking to participate in conversation with lots of different people give it a go. Boggy. Common theme in a lot of my walks. Boggy. So make sure you've got your walking boots on for your wellies. Once you've crossed the road and you're heading across this field don't go right up to the top. Just here on the right you'll make out the yellow sandstone trail sign and they're going to go right here. Not sure if that's even going to pick up but the geese are quite vocal today. There's another slightly better view of Beeston Castle. I would imagine the views from up there are quite impressive on a decent day but it's £3 a park and it's £11 to get into the castle. You could probably get in cheaper if you book online but I think even that's only about £9.50-£10 and whilst it looks a pretty impressive castle when you read the reviews there isn't an awful lot there and as I'm walking through all the views I'm probably not going to go in. See how I feel after this. £11 to go and see where I've just been. I know, I know, it's only £11 and it's a castle. I'm probably not going. By the time I get back I'll be wet, I'll be cold. It'll be beer o'clock. So as I said before it's another sort of path less travelled for most. So if you're just looking for some get out your own head space and not be distracted by too much this walks perfect. It's not too long, it is a bit hilly in places and it is a bit boggy but again if you do it in summer or spring it's less boggy but you barely see anyone. It just gives you time just to, as I say, just get out your own head, listen to the birds, turn off the world chatter which has got really loud recently. Anyway, I've got to say I'm up to 71 subscribers. Thanks guys. It seems like such a a simple thing to do but as a content creator it means more than a lot of people know. It doesn't cost you anything. So for the 71 of you who are here by choice thanks very much and if you found me by accident and YouTube are trying to take you hostage to my channel why not just give me a like and subscribe. I don't do too many videos. Hiya. I don't do too many videos so I won't be filling up your subscription list. I don't mean the world to me. Anyway it's really weird. I'm getting better at it but when I grew up back in the dark ages if you saw someone talking to themselves you thought there was something else going on. Now I'm really self-conscious of talking to the camera and talking to you guys because no one knows what I'm doing. I know it's the age of social media and more and more people are expecting it and they're getting used to it but is it just me or is it still weird? Maybe it's just me because I am weird. Anyway we keep going. As lovely as this walk is I've reached the part of the route it's not my favourite bit at all. Let me show you what I mean. Start the climb there and then we've got to continue to climb all the way up to there. It's quite steep. It's unpleasant. It's doable. It's doable for most Loads of woods. They've got a castle. They do weddings and stuff. Now because I'm a big deal now if you want a decent discount off Peckforton Castle for all of your dues and stuff don't ring me. I'm going to clear you out. But I bet it's a lovely place for a wedding. I was just about to head off through the wonderful gatehouse thing. Just out the corner of my eye I thought what the hell's that? Found this. The Dovecot. over into that corner and back into Beeston. I might get a t-shirt made up of this. I'm gonna put this route down as a spring or summer walk because I've got my walking boots on and for another third consecutive walk I'm ice skating across a lot of these fields. Your grip just gets full. So I'm not saying don't do it. It's a really nice walk. Take your time. Be careful where you put your feet. See that gate over there? It's one of the footpaths. That'll take you back across that field. The field that you originally, when you went over the bridge, that'll take you back into that corner and back to the castle. I'm not going that way. I'm gonna go up the road up into that corner, turn left and go up the road and it'll eventually bring you to the Sandstone Cafe which is where we picked up the trail from the start. Now normally you'd be able to have a nice coffee or bacon butty or a sausage butty there but unfortunately they're closed today so I think we're going to skip the castle, get in the car, go home, have some lunch and maybe treat myself to a beer. Can I tell you what's been on my mind? Sick and tired of the 9 to 5 in the city light. Hey darling, we could get out of town. See the beautiful world around. Right then, there you have it. A little over three and a half miles. Lovely little walk. Thanks for watching.