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The Great Britain Guide

Castles · South Wales

Banwell Castle

♿ Wheelchair: limited

Banwell Castle — castle in Banwell, Somerset, England, UK.

Banwell Castle, castles in South Wales

Wikimedia Commons contributors — see linked file page for photographer and licence licence

Plan your visit

Typical visit
1.5 h–3 h
Nearest railway station
Puxton Park · 4.4 km
  • Family-friendly
  • Limited wheelchair access

About

Banwell Castle is a castle in the United Kingdom — fortified architecture from the medieval, Tudor, or Victorian-revival period. Heritage designation: Grade II* listed building. Wikidata describes it as: "castle in Banwell, Somerset, England, UK". Coordinates: 51.3235°, -2.8542°.

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Heritage listing

Banwell Castle is a Victorian Gothic Revival mansion in Banwell, Somerset, England. It is a Grade II* listed building.

From the Historic England List Entry under OGL v3.

Protected designations

  • Site of Special Scientific Interest: Severn Estuary SSSI
  • National Nature Reserve: MENDIP
  • Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty: Mendip Hills
  • Ramsar wetland: Severn Estuary

Designations sourced from Natural England open data under OGL v3.

From the Wikipedia article

Banwell Castle is a Victorian Gothic Revival mansion in Banwell, Somerset, England. It is a Grade II* listed building.

Excerpt from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0. See the source article linked in Sources below.

Background

History

The land on which the house is built was owned by the Bishop of Bath and Wells. It was sold to John and Joan Landown in 1753. It was passed down to the Sympson family; John Dyer Sympson, a solicitor from London, built the castle as his home. It was completed in 1847. Built in the Gothic Revival style made popular by Augustus Pugin. having passed to Sir William Baker, Other owners and tenants have been 1854 to 1874 Henry & Elizabeth Pigou then Sir William & Lady Frances Baker. Mr & Mrs Hope made it their home, she died in 1916 and the Estate was then sold to Richard Calvert who in 1919 had the Bristol Architect Sir George Oatley do remodelling work on the property. In World War II it was…

Architecture

The house has five windows in the three-storey main block between small circular turrets with other octagonal and hexagonal towers. In front of the house is a terrace with a trefoil pierced parapet with statutes of lions rampant with swords on embattled octagonal gate piers which flank six steps. The gatehouse consists of a Chamfered double arch, with a parapet between circular embattled towers, with wrought iron gates with heraldic motifs. The terrace adjoining the house leads to a decorative dairy. The west garden walls include another tower.

Sourced from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Coordinates
51.3235, -2.8542
Parish
Banwell
Postcode
BS29 6NX
Parliamentary constituency
Wells and Mendip Hills
Established
1847
Nearest railway station
Puxton Park4.4 km

Sources

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Nearby

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Frequently asked questions

Where is Banwell Castle?
Banwell Castle is in South Wales, United Kingdom (postcode BS29 6NX), in the parish of Banwell.
When was Banwell Castle built?
Built or established in 1847.
Who owns Banwell Castle?
Banwell Castle is owned by | designation1 =Grade II* Listed Building.
Is Banwell Castle a listed building?
Banwell Castle is officially recognised as Grade II* listed building listed.
Is Banwell Castle a protected site?
Yes — Banwell Castle is part of the Severn Estuary SSSI Site of Special Scientific Interest and the MENDIP National Nature Reserve.
Does Banwell Castle charge admission?
Banwell Castle typically charges admission. Check the official site for current ticket prices and opening hours.