Introduction
Banwell Castle is an elaborate Victorian sham castle, with battlemented gardens and terraces.
The house is open for bed and breakfast, cream teas and meals.
Situated in the Banwell Conservation area, the Grade II* Banwell Castle boasts battlemented gardens and terraces for an elaborate Victorian sham castle. The terrace leads to an ornamental dairy. An octagonal turret overlooks the garden. The garden walls feature decorative towers. There is a walled garden and a separate walled kitchen garden with a circular tower. All the above features are listed Grade II* (with the exception of the kitchen garden wall and tower which are listed Grade II) and are contemporary with the house.
Description checked by the Avon Gardens Trust 22/5/2012.
- Visitor Access, Directions & Contacts
Directions
The site is 3 miles from junction 21 on the M5, following the A371.
Owners
William and Hugh Parsons and Jean Desebrock
Banwell Castle, BS29 6NXOther Websites
- History
The Grade II* listed building was built for John Dyer Simpson in 1848. The gardens are contemporary with this date.
Period
Victorian (1837-1901)
- Features & Designations
Designations
Conservation Area
- Reference: Banwell
The National Heritage List for England: Listed Building
- Reference: Banwell Castle
- Grade: II*
The National Heritage List for England: Listed Building
- Reference: Banwell Castle garden walls with decorative towers
- Grade: II*
The National Heritage List for England: Listed Building
- Reference: Banwell Castle Octagonal Turret
- Grade: II*
The National Heritage List for England: Listed Building
- Reference: Banwell Castle Ornamental Dairy
- Grade: II*
The National Heritage List for England: Listed Building
- Reference: Banwell Castle walled kitchen garden with circular tower
- Grade: II
Features
- Sham Castle (featured building)
- Description: The house was completed in 1848 for John Dyer Sympson.
- Earliest Date:
- Latest Date:
- Key Information
Type
Garden
Purpose
Ornamental
Principal Building
Domestic / Residential
Period
Victorian (1837-1901)
Survival
Extant
Hectares
8.1
Civil Parish
Banwell
- References
Contributors
Avon Gardens Trust