- Banwell
infobox UK place
country = England
official_name= Banwell
population = 2,923cite web | url= http://www.n-somerset.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/03837087-C27B-4891-B94C-16F0C4103DB6/0/census_BanwellParish2001.pdf | work= North Somerset Council | title= Parish of Banwell 2001 Census Parish Information Sheet | format= PDF | accessdate= 2007-10-24]
latitude= 51.327
longitude= -2.864
unitary_england=North Somerset
lieutenancy_england=Somerset
region= South West England
constituency_westminster= Weston-super-Mare
post_town= WESTON-SUPER-MARE|postcode_district = BS29
postcode_area= BS
dial_code= 01934
os_grid_reference=Banwell is a village in the
North Somerset district ofSomerset ,England . Its population was 2,923 according to the 2001 census.Geography
Banwell is located 5 miles (8 km) east of
Weston-super-Mare on theA371 road and is where the western end of theA368 road begins. The village is at the west end of the northern side of theMendip hills .The village is located between the
M5 motorway and the A38, and is used by traffic travelling from the motorway toBristol International Airport . Unfortunately this traffic, together with other users of the A371 and A368 often cause the narrow streets of Banwell to become jammed. [cite web | url= http://www.bypassbanwell.co.uk/textpages/theproblem.htm | title= The problem | work= Bypass Banwell campaign website | accessdate= 2007-10-24] There has been a campaign to bypass Banwell for many years but other villages in the area have objected as increasing the traffic capacity on the roads would create problem on their roads. The Greater Bristol Strategic Transport Study in 2006 recommended that a road be built from Junction 21 of the M5 directly to Bristol International Airport, bypassing Banwell and all the other local villages, thus alleviating their concerns. [cite web | url= http://www.thewestonmercury.co.uk/content/twm/flatfiles/features/Features2006/aspx/06-06-30Road.aspx | title= On the right road at last? | work= The Weston Mercury | date=30 June 2006 | accessdate= 2007-10-24] However, this would not benefit local traffic passing through Banwell to and from Weston-super-Mare,Wells and Bath so some traffic problems would still exist.Banwell Caves are a convert|1.7|ha|acre|1geological and biological Site of Special Scientific Interest at the western end of Banwell Hill.Banwell Castle
Banwell Castle is a a Victorian castle built in 1847 by John Dyer Sympson, a
solicitor from London. Originally built as his home, it is now a hotel and restaurant. It is a grade II*listed building . [cite web | url= http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/details/default.aspx?id=350213 | work= Images of England | title= Banwell Castle detailed record | accessdate= 2007-10-24]Church
The mainly 15th century
parish church ofSt Andrew is a grade I listed building. [cite web | url= http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/details/default.aspx?id=33352 | work= Images of England | title= Parish Church of St. Andrew detailed record | accessdate= 2007-10-24] The body of the church has anave with aclerestory , north and south aisles and, a rather short chancel considering the proportions of the rest of the church. The font dates from the 12th century and there is a carved stonepulpit from 15th century and a carvedrood screen built and set up in 1552, which escaped theReformation . The 100 foot (30 m) high tower that contains 10 bells dating from the 18th to 20th century and a clock dated 1884. Bells dating from 1734 and 1742 were made by Thomas Bilbie, of theBilbie family . [cite book |last=Moore |first=James |authorlink= |coauthors=Roy Rice & Ernest Hucker |title=Bilbie and the Chew Valley clock makers |year=1995 |publisher=The authors |location= |isbn=0952670208 ]References
External links
*dmoz|/Regional/Europe/United_Kingdom/England/Somerset/Banwell/|Banwell
* [http://www.banwellparishcouncil.co.uk/ Banwell Parish Council]
* [http://www.banwell.info/ Banwell Village Online Community]
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