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Burnham (St. Andrew)

BURNHAM (St. Andrew), a parish, in the union of Axbridge, hundred of Bempstone, E. division of Somerset, 9¼ miles (W. S. W.) from Axbridge; containing, with the hamlet of Edithmead, part of that of Highbridge, and part of the tything of Aston-Morris, 1469 inhabitants. It lies on the coast of the Bristol Channel; and its pleasant watering-place, and fine sandy beach seven miles in length, have induced many respectable families to make it their residence during the summer months. The views are exceedingly good, including Bridgwater bay, and the Glamorgan, Quantock, Mendip, and Brent hills. The Bristol and Exeter railway passes through the parish. Two medicinal springs, one saline, with a chalybeate impregnation, and the other sulphureous, with a saline principle, are much esteemed, the former for its efficacy in relieving obstinate complaints of the stomach and bowels and obstructions of the liver, and the latter for its singular property of softening the skin and removing troublesome eruptions. There are spacious hot, shower, and vapour baths, elegantly fitted-up, and conducted by Mr. Johns. A good fishery is carried on, and cod and other white-fish are taken; the parish is also celebrated for its cider. On the shore are, a lighthouse 23 feet, and another 91½ feet, above the level of the sea at high-water mark, with revolving lights. On Trinity Monday and Tuesday is an annual fair. The living is a vicarage, valued in the king's books at £16. 11. 10½.; patrons and appropriators, the Dean and Chapter of Wells: the great tithes have been commuted for £190, and the vicarial for £635; the glebe comprises two acres, with an excellent parsonage-house. The church, dedicated in 1316, is a spacious edifice with a lofty tower, and has been lately enlarged by the addition of 471 sittings. It contains a fine altar-piece, of white marble, in the Grecian style, designed by Inigo Jones for the chapel of the intended palace of Charles II. at Whitehall, and afterwards placed in Westminster Abbey, by the Dean and Chapter of which it was presented to Dr. King, Bishop of Rochester, for many years incumbent of this parish, who erected it in the church at his own expense. A school is conducted on the national plan.

Transcribed from A Topographical Dictionary of England, by Samuel Lewis, seventh edition, published 1858.

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