What is "pilning"

Pilning is a village in South Gloucestershire, England, close to Redwick and Severn Beach. Pilning is close to the M4, M49 and A403 roads, and has the South Wales Main Line railway running through it, with a minor station.

The civil parish is Pilning and Severn Beach. The population at the 2011 census was 3,647. An electoral ward exists in the same name. The area of this ward and population is identical to that of the parish.

Because of the close proximity of the River Severn and the English Stones section of the river bed, Pilning has found itself the ideal place to make both a substantial railway tunnel and motorway bridge. The Severn Tunnel opened in 1885 and the Second Severn Crossing opened in 1996.

The village is home to St Peters Primary School and a number of other amenities including a shop, a doctor's surgery, and several pubs.

The parish church of St Peter was completed in 1855 (consecrated 9 August), the principal architect was Thomas Henry Wyatt with H. Crisp. It also has a late 20th-century south extension in same style. It is a grade II listed building.

Pilning has an annual Carnival and family fun night and an amateur dramatic society, "The Village Players".