A Walk Around Pilton: Church, Barn and Crown

Pilton is a quiet Somerset village with a long memory. I spent an afternoon walking its lanes and exploring its landmarks, and found a place where history still shapes the everyday.

At the centre of the village stands the Church of St John the Baptist, partly hidden by old trees and surrounded by a peaceful churchyard. The church dates back to at least the 11th or 12th century. Inside, the building is cool and still. There are traces of Norman architecture alongside later Gothic and Perpendicular features. Light filters through medieval stained glass and falls on worn stone floors, where generations have marked life’s major moments—baptisms, weddings, funerals.

Pilton’s church was once part of a Benedictine priory under the control of Glastonbury Abbey, and you can feel that link to a wider religious past. The dissolution of the monasteries in the 16th century changed everything, but the church remained—and still serves the village today.

Not far from the church is one of Pilton’s most striking buildings: the Tithe Barn. It’s a large, medieval structure with thick stone walls, high buttresses, and a steep roof. This was once where locals brought produce—grain, wool, and other goods—as a form of tax to support the abbey. It’s one of the oldest tithe barns in England, built in the 14th century, and a reminder of how the church once dominated both religious and economic life.

In 1963, the barn was seriously damaged by fire. Its great timber roof was lost, and for a while the building stood open to the weather. But it was later restored, with help from the local community and support from Glastonbury Festival’s Michael Eavis. Today, the barn is fully repaired and serves as a venue for concerts, exhibitions and community events—a working building once again.

Outside the barn is a stone bench commemorating the Women’s Land Army of 1914–1918 and 1939–1945—a quiet and fitting tribute to the women who worked the land during both World Wars.

I ended my walk at The Crown Inn, the village pub, which sits at the heart of Pilton near Conduit Square. The building itself dates back to the 17th century, though its Roman tiled roof and later Georgian sash windows show how it has evolved over time. It’s now a Grade II listed building.

The pub was closed for some time but reopened in 2022 under new ownership. The renovation is tasteful and welcoming: dark wood panelling, a wood-burning stove, and a bar that feels like a proper village meeting place.

One of the most eye-catching features inside is the artwork by Rowena Draper. On the walls are paintings of monkeys with music boxes—bold, slightly surreal, and full of personality. They bring a sense of fun and individuality to the space, and make it clear that this is no generic country pub.

Out the back, there’s a large garden with a firepit, play area, and even a smokehouse kitchen. During the Glastonbury Festival, the pub fills with visitors and locals alike, but even outside of festival time, The Crown has clearly re-established itself as a hub for the community.

Pilton might be best known to the outside world because of Glastonbury Festival, but there’s much more to it than a single weekend each June. Its church, its barn, and its pub all tell stories of continuity, change, and renewal. Walking through the village, it’s easy to see how deep the roots go—and how they still shape life today.

Linda

For more tales from churchyards and historic parishes, visit my Church Visits collection.