but it is administered independently of the non-metropolitan county. Its administrative headquarters are in Bath. Between 1 April 1974 and 1 April 1996, it was the Wansdyke district and the City of Bath of the county of Avon. Before 1974 that the parish was part of the Bathavon Rural District. The parish is represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom as part of the North East Somerset constituency. It elects one Member of Parliament (MP) by the first past the post system of election. Religious sites The Church of St Mary dates from the 12th century. It has been designated by English Heritage as a Grade II* listed building. The church contains monuments to the parents of William Prynne, the Puritan parliamentarian, who was born in the village in 1600. There is a ledger slab of John Wood the Elder, architect of Georgian Bath. The tomb probably contains the bodies of John Wood the Younger and his wife. Notable people William Prynne (1600–1669), Puritan lawyer, voluble author, polemicist and politician. John Gunning (1734–1798), an English surgeon. Edith Carrington (1853–1929) animal rights activist and promoter of vegetarianism. Jonathan Dimbleby (born 1944) and his ex-wife, Bel Mooney were residents. Peter Gabriel (born 1950) musician, singer, songwriter; had studios at Ashcombe House References External links Map of Swainswick c.1884 Civil parishes in Somerset Villages in Bath and North East Somerset