Banwell Caves

Banwell Caves

Site of Special Scientific Interest
The Druid's Temple and entrance archway to the Bone Cave
Location within Somerset
Area of Search	Avon
Grid reference	ST383588
Coordinates	51°19′30″N 2°53′13″W / 51.3249°N 2.8869°W / 51.3249; -2.8869Coordinates: 51°19′30″N 2°53′13″W / 51.3249°N 2.8869°W / 51.3249; -2.8869
Interest	Biological/Geological
Area	1.7 ha (4.2 acres)
Notification	1963 (1963)
Natural England website

Banwell Caves (grid reference ST383588) are a 1.7-hectare geological and biological Site of Special Scientific Interest near the village of Banwell, North Somerset, England notified in 1963.

The site comprises two caves, called 'Banwell Bone Cave' and 'Banwell Stalactite Cave', which lie within the grounds of a large house, at the western end of Banwell Hill. The caves contain barite deposits, which are found in greater abundance and variety here than at any other site in the Mendip Hills, and are used as a hibernation site by greater horseshoe bats (Rhinolophus ferrumequinum).

The site also has several grottos and follies, including the Pebble summerhouse, Druid's Temple, an osteoicon (or bone repository) and Banwell Tower which was completed in 1840.

The first cave to be discovered was the Stalactite Cave in 1757. This was opened in 1824 as a show cave to raise money for the local school. In an attempt to make access easier, a tunnel was dug into the hill during which the bone cave was discovered in 1825.

The estate was owned by George Henry Law as Bishop of Bath and Wells, who thought the bones which were found were those of animals drowned in the flood at the time of Noah's Ark described in the Book of Genesis. The bishop had paths and folly buildings created for visitors and built a small cottage, which later became his retirement home.