ASHCOTT, SOMERSET					Home - Menu - History - Location
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	History of the Pipers Inn The Pipers Inn is a landmark for many travellers to Mid- Somerset across centuries. It has been patronised by the literati and a Spanish princess and the scene of many a worried parent searching for an eloping daughter, as the lovebirds could often be found taking shelter at the inn before picking up the connecting coach to Gretna Green. The Pipers Inn now comprises two buildings of contrasting architectural styles. A former inn on this site called The Castle appears to have been rebuilt, possibly in the late 17th century. Pipers Inn is recorded in 1723 and there are a number of romantic and prosaic reasons given for the name. Whatever the truth, an inn has stood on this site for over 400 years. About 200 years ago an imposing house was added to the side of the existing building to form the present day frontage. No attempt was made to match the architectural styling or roof lines of the original building and hence we have the rather odd appearance of the building today. Several different explanations have been given for the name of this Inn. One theory is that originally it was a place of relaxation where locals went to enjoy a drink and purchase a clay pipe of tobacco for a leisurely smoke, hence the name Pipers Inn. Another suggestion is that at the time of the Monmouth Rebellion a detachment of Scottish soldiers were billeted close to the Inn and made full use of the available facilities virtually to the exclusion of the locals. A more likely explanation is that a local landowner at the time, a gentleman by the name of Colonel Piper, owned the hostelry and named it after himself. In the 19th century the new fangled railways threatened businesses which thrived on its coaching inn passing trade. Licensing laws of the time forbid anyone who had not travelled at least 10 miles by coach or 3 miles by foot from drinking alcohol at the Inn. Although this prohibited villagers from supping at the Pipers Inn those from nearby Street could attend. In 1841, two years before he succeeded Southey as Poet Laureate, Wordsworth returned to Somerset on a nostalgic trip to visit his youthful haunts. He and his wife Mary stayed at a friend’s house in Bath and on 29th April, the Chronicle briefly announced his presence in the city: 'The distinguished poet Wordsworth is at present residing in Bath, where we understand he will remain until the middle of June'. Towards the end of his visit he attended the wedding of his only daughter, Dora, to Mr. Edward Quillinan at St James's Church. One day the wedding party drove out to Ashcott to have breakfast at Pipers Inn and afterwards they all went to Alfoxden where the poet sought reminiscences of his past.				Follow us on: ***Open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner ***Sunday Carvery from 11:30am to 2:30pm *** Functions  and Parties our speciality ***Gift Vouchers available *** Warm , welcoming  environment . Gender friendly *** 5 Star Hygiene Award GIFT VOUCHERS CAN BE PURCHASED AT THE BAR e-mail: food@pipers-inn.com  Telephone: 01458 210030 or 01458 210249 Fax: 01458 210091
	Address: Pipers Inn, 70 Bath Road, Ashcott, Somerset TA79QL. Telephone: 01458 210030 or 01458 210249 Fax: 01458 210091 e-mail: food@pipers-inn.com  Proprietors: Christine & Roger Buckley
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