About Puriton

The ancient village and parish of Puriton in Somerset is located on the the western end of the Polden Hills.  The parish includes the large, but compact village of Puriton with the hamlet of Downend 1km to the west-south-west and the industrial hamlet and wharf at Dunball 1.5km to the south-west. The parish has a diverse mix of historic and more modern properties, industrial business sites and agriculture. It is situated adjacent to junction 23 of the M5 motorway and is approximately 3.5 miles northeast of the busy town of Bridgwater, famous for its annual carnival held during November.

Puriton falls within the administrative district of Somerset Council and has a thriving and welcoming community of of approximately 2000 inhabitants. New residents to the village are greeted with a village welcome pack, which, as well as being informative, aims to extend the hand of friendship to those new to the area.

The parish council has secured under license the future use of an area of open space used as a village green. The triangle at Rye is significant to the village as it plays host to many community events. It is also the site of the village war memorial and a recent commemorative bench.

The village is proud to support a full range of facilities, including the Village Hall, Puriton Sports Centre, Puriton Primary School, The Church of St Michael and All Angels, The Puriton Inn, Court Farm butcher, PO Stores and the Cutting Room hairdressers, as well as a wealth of other trades and services owned and operated by those living in the village. A doctors’ surgery and a veterinary practice can be found in the adjacent village of Woolavington.

The parish is particularly fortunate in that it boasts its own sports centre, run as a charitable trust by volunteers for the benefit of the community. The sports centre offers indoor bowls, archery and football pitches. It also has for hire a committee room and a function room with an equipped kitchen. For more information see the the Sports Centre page.

Puriton Village Hall is also charitable trust run for the benefit of the community. The hall is a real hub of social activity and has a full calendar of events, hosting local groups such as the Brownies, Sunshine Pre-School, the Puriton Players. The hall has plenty of free parking. There is a grassed field and a play area alongside the Village Hall with a fenced area for ball games managed by Puriton Sports Centre. For more information see the Puriton Village Hall page.

There are many public footpaths that will take you from the the bustle of the village into open countryside.