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 of Somerset, 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 the A371 road and is where the western end of the A368 road begins. The village is at the west end of the northern side of the Mendip hills.

The village is located between the M5 motorway and the A38, and is used by traffic travelling from the motorway to Bristol 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|1 geological 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 of St 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 a nave with a clerestory, 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 stone pulpit from 15th century and a carved rood screen built and set up in 1552, which escaped the Reformation. 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 the Bilbie 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]