Hewish

Hewish is a small settlement in North Somerset with a Weston-super-Mare postcode (BS24). It lies in the civil parish of Puxton, which takes in the “isolated hamlets of East Hewish and West Hewish”. Puxton is 5 miles (8 km) north-west of Axbridge, and the parish is close to the junction of the M5 and the A370.

Puxton’s own Church of St Saviour dates from the 13th century. Its tower leans because of “peaty foundations”, and it is Grade I listed. A station at Puxton and Worle opened in 1841, and the Puxton signal box has been kept to operate the level crossings there and at nearby Hewish.

The wider area has more to see on its higher ground. Banwell lies at the western end of the northern side of the Mendip Hills, 5 miles (8 km) east of Weston-super-Mare on the A371. Banwell Caves, a Site of Special Scientific Interest of 1.7 hectares, are at the western end of Banwell Hill, and Banwell Castle is a Victorian building of 1847.

Congresbury, on the A370, is about 7 miles (11 km) east of Weston-super-Mare. The Strawberry Line, a former railway turned into a path for walkers and cyclists, lies next to the village, and walkers on it get views over the North Somerset Levels.