Kenn, Somerset

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Kenn
Kenn, Somerset (Somerset)
Kenn, Somerset

Kenn shown within Somerset
Population 300
OS grid reference ST415695
Unitary authority North Somerset
Ceremonial county Somerset
Region South West
Constituent country England
Sovereign state United Kingdom
Post town Clevedon
Dialling code 01275
Police Avon and Somerset
Fire Avon
Ambulance Great Western
European Parliament South West England
UK Parliament Woodspring
(North Somerset
at next general election)
List of places: UKEnglandSomerset

Coordinates: 51°25′17″N 2°50′34″W / 51.4215, -2.8427

Kenn is a small village in North Somerset, England. It lies on the B3133 road near Clevedon in the North Somerset Levels and near the edge of the Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.


The village is small and situated in marshy ground. It formerly belonged to the Kenns, of whom was the nonjuring bishop, composer of the "Morning Hymn;" he was one of the seven prelates sent to the Tower by James II. The soil is loamy with subsoil clay. The vicarial tithes have been commuted for a rent-charge of £90. The living is a perpetual curacy in the diocese of Bath and Wells, in the patronage of the Vicar of Yatton. The church is a stone structure partially rebuilt in 1861. In the interior are several ancient monuments, among which is that of Christopher Kenn. The register dates from 1543 .


Kenn is notable as the site of the last public hangings to be carried out at the scene of the crime in the UK. Three arsonists ( William Wall, John Rowley and Richard Clarke) who had set fire to a local farmer's hay were hanged, another three being transported to Australia.


The village pub is the Drum and Monkey, and the church is the Church of St John the Evangelist.


Nearby is the Kenn Church, Kenn Pier & Yew Tree Farm SSSI.

[edit] Sources

National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland (1868) Transcribed by Colin Hinson © 2003

Lilly, Derek B. & Lilly, Jane S. The Kenn Hangings of 1830: The Full Story H.Galloway (Sep 1994) ISBN 1-873931-23-9

[edit] External links


 
The North Somerset Levels
The towns and villages: Congresbury | Kenn | Kingston Seymour | Puxton | Yatton
SSSIs: Biddle Street, Yatton | Puxton Moor | Tickenham, Nailsea and Kenn Moors | Yanal Bog