Church of St Thomas a Becket, Pensford
Somerset
1 of 3
About this Church
Set in a pretty village with the River Chew running around it this fourteenth-century tower stands against a dramatically backdrop of railway viaduct arches.
Only the tower was vested with the Churches Conservation Trust in 1982. The rest of this church has been converted to a home, with no visitor access to the adjoining nave.
Visitors to the chapel room in the base of the tower can admire an an elaborate vaulted ceiling, a Perpendicular font, a seventeenth-century pulpit, and text and benefaction boards.
Above, and only accessible by occasional tower tours during event days, sits a rare medieval bell frame dating from the early 16th century. The tower, the oldest surviving part of the church, has three stages with unusual fifteenth-century windows to the top stage. Today, visitors enter through the west doorway.
Access information
From the lane through the village, along a level gravel path to the west door. There is clear access to the tower door along and one step up to the tower floor.
No parking directly outside the church please. Occasional parking available in village but it is best to take Publow Road & use the Village Hall car park. Drop off is usually possible at the churchyard gates.
Facilities & Hire
Pensford Tower has no electricity, heating, or toilet facilities.
- Church Available for Hire
History & Further Information
Somerset Church Guide
This free of charge short guide contains details of all the churches we care for in Somerset. Printed copies of the county guide are also available at the church.
Conservation and Regeneration
St Thomas' costs £2574.44 per year to keep open and in a good state of repair, with additional routine maintenance costs of around £1300 per annum.
For further details on the work needed at this site, please see the site's Church Plan.
Directions
Coming towards Bristol on the A37, come down the hill into Pensford and the tower can be found on the left hand side, close to the railway viaduct off the small lane that crosses the river in the middle of the village
No parking directly outside the church please. Occasional parking available in village but it is best to take Publow Road & use the Village Hall car park. Drop off is usually possible at the churchyard gates
Transport
Nearest railway station: Keynsham (4 miles)
Church Plan
Our church plans set out a shared vision for the future of the churches in our care. These working documents are regularly updated following meetings with our local communities.
Community information
This site is in our west region. If you have any questions, feedback or if you want to contact us about the church plan please drop us a line and specify the name of this church
The tower of St Thomas á Becket is generously supported by a Friends group who run events, open and close the church and who have recently funded a renovation of the tower clock. If interested in volunteering at this site, please do get in touch with your Local Community Officer by emailing pwood@thecct.org.uk.
A cycle route between St Thomas' Church Pensford and St James' Church in Cameley is available on our website here.
Useful local links:
