| Summary : Also known as the Abbey. Two houses, formerly a single building built as a bishop's residence 1443-65. Allegedly constructed within or on the site of a Saxon monastic foundation, but that is generally considered to be either at ST35NE12 or to be at or near near Banwell church (ST35NE21). The building is 14th century and perhaps earlier, altered in the 15th century with major reworkings in the early and late 19th century. It contains a 15th century domestic chapel. A fishpond, presumably Mediaeval, survives as an earthwork, and was drained circa 1800. |
More information : [ST 40025914] The Abbey on site of [T.I.]
Monastery [OE] (1)
Banwell Court or the Abbey, built by Bishop Bekynton, 1443-65 but
altered in the 18/19th cent. The original chapel is at the east of
the South front. The amount of 15th c. work needs investigation,
according to Pevsner (2). During reconstruction all the worked
stone found was incorporated into the modern masonry. There were
fishponds in the field below the house which were drained c.1800.
A monastery at Banowille or Banwell is said by Asser, in 885, to
have been given to him by Alfred. Banwell was amongst the possessions
of Winchester College in 904 so the monastery was perhaps given up
by Asser, C.892-800, or by Alfred. It is said to have been destroyed
by the Danes and a number of authorities variously locate it at the
Winthill Roman (ST 35 NE 12) Building site (6); the former Bishop's
Palace of Banwell Abbey (7) or the church at Banwell.
[No recent authority seems to have checked the original reference by
Asser which may well refer only to the gift of the church. There
seems to be no evidence to associate this 'monastery' with
'The Abbey'] (2-7)
The east wing containing the former chapel, now converted into a
flat, is largely 15th century and is of considerable architectural
interest.
(See G.F. AO/66/89/4). The remainder of the house has been rebuilt
(See G.P. AO/66/89/2).
There are no certain remains of the fish ponds. (8)
Banwell Abbey and The Cloisters
Grade II*
2 houses, formerly one bishop's residence constructed within or on
site of monastic foundation. C14 and perhaps earlier, C15 and major
reworkings in early and late C19. (Hans Price, 1870). Rubble, ashlar,
slate roofs. Main block; 6 windows between buttresses, 3 storeys,
4 in west tower, middle bay breaks forward; mixed fenestration some
2 light mullioned under pointed dripmoulds, some square headed; some
sashes some casements; the whole battlemented, central pediment
bears crozier, end buttresses surmounted by finials; 3 stage
polygonal tower to left with single pointed lights gargoyles and
battlements; parallel range has 2 embattled gables, a round headed
entrance under an embattled, gabled porch and 2 light windows under
drips; in east gable is a substantial fragment of a large
Perpendicular window. Various single storey rear outbuildings, all
gabled. Interior is a superb Victorian pastiche with a double height
hall with large dog leg staircase, ornate plastered rooms with flat
arch fireplaces, some of C16 origin. Former chapel and cloister; to
right (east)of main block the former chapel now has 2 storeys, at
east end is a 3 light window of the C14 above C20 plain chamfered
surround windows, to south an embattled tower with single lights
and a porch in the re-entrant angle. C19 single storey wing which
runs north from former chapel has cusped 3 light windows and a
pointed arch entrance below battlements and between buttresses with
finials. Interior contains remnants of the cloister walk with 2 light
C15 cusped windows. (Source: N Pevsner, The Buildings of England :
North Somerset and Bristol, 1958).
Abbey Lodge and gatepiers
Grade II
Lodge and gatepiers to Banwell Abbey (q.v.). Circa 1870. Perhaps by
Hans Price of Weston-super-Mare. Rubble, freestone dressings, slate
and double roman tile roofs, raised coped verges. Single storey,
irregular fenestration, mainly square headed chamfered stone mullion
casements, one 4 centered arch head with 3 light timber casement
with gothic tracery; an embattled round tower between a gable with
fleur-de-lys finial and a pitched roof with deep overhanging eaves;
towards rear this adjoins a taller gabled section with gabled porch
both with ornate bargeboards (a slightly earlier barn reworked); the
whole dominated by a circular corner turret with a very tall conical
cap: to the road a chimney gable with 2 light leaded pointed windows
in a flat arch, C20 casements on either side. An attached low wall
is pierced at either end with pointed openings, that to left has a
door, that to right spearhead railings; then 4 rusticated square
piers with weathered pyramidal caps; centre 2 are recessed and the
curved wall is low with diagonal cast iron railings; tall, heavy
cast iron gates between central piers have curved heads and ball
finials. (9)
Additional references - Banwell Monastery (10-11)
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