The village takes its name from the Brythonic family of Celtic languages: penn-ardd meaning high hill.

[2] The estate was granted by King Edred to Aelfgyth, a nun of Wilton and she transferred it to Glastonbury Abbey which retained it until the Dissolution of the monasteries in 1539.

Conservation matters (including trees and listed buildings) and environmental issues are also the responsibility of the council.

It is also part of the Frome and East Somerset county constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom.

Local wildlife include roe deer, barn owls and (in the large pond on the common) greater-crested newts.

Other amenities in Huxham include a small airfield and a bed and breakfast establishment which is one of the closest accommodations to the Glastonbury Festival site.