Banwell Castle, Gothic Revival castle in Banwell, England.
Banwell Castle is a Gothic Revival mansion from the 19th century, located in the village of Banwell in Somerset, England. Its facade has five central windows flanked by two round towers, a terrace with decorative pierced parapets, and lion statues on the gate piers at the entrance.
The property was built in 1847 for a London solicitor named John Dyer Sympson, on land that had previously belonged to the Bishop of Bath and Wells. An earlier structure had stood on the site before the current house was constructed.
The architecture shows the Gothic Revival style that was popular during the Victorian period, with round towers and decorative pierced parapets that you can see when you walk around the building. These design choices reflect what wealthy people liked to build in their homes during that era.
The property now operates as a bed and breakfast with a restaurant, so overnight stays and meals on site are possible. Booking ahead is recommended, and guests can walk through the grounds during their stay.
During World War II, the Royal Air Force used the property as the headquarters of their Barrage Balloon Section, making it part of Britain's air defense network. This military past is easy to overlook when walking around what today looks like a quiet country house.
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