Church of St Nicholas, West Pennard

The Church of St Nicholas stands in the quiet village of West Pennard, Somerset. Built in the 15th century, it is a Grade I listed building with parts dating back even earlier. The tower was added around 1482, while the north aisle came in the 16th century. Six bells hang in the tower, four cast in the early 17th century. The church was once a chapelry of Glastonbury’s St John the Baptist before gaining its own dedication to St Nicholas in 1210. It is worth the journey for its well-preserved medieval features and historical links to Glastonbury Abbey. The churchyard cross, built between 1493 and 1524 by Abbot Richard Beere, is also Grade I listed. The interior holds a screen carved in the Tudor style near the chancel. The church remains part of the Brue benefice, which includes several nearby parishes. Inside, visitors find a simple but elegant nave with a screen of carved figures. The tower’s bells still ring, a tradition kept alive for centuries. Outside, the churchyard cross stands as a reminder of Glastonbury’s medieval influence. The surrounding village adds to the peaceful atmosphere of the visit.