Pilton is now almost 20 miles (30 km) from the sea but sits on the edge of the Somerset Levels, an area which has now been drained but was once a shallow tidal lake.

His activities having been discovered, he either committed suicide or was convicted and hanged from the gibbet at the adjacent crossroads and buried nearby.

[3][4] Other explanations of the name include a tale that Kenred a pagan and uncle of King Ine who converted to Christianity was buried there.

The parish council's role also includes initiating projects for the maintenance and repair of parish facilities, as well as consulting with the district council on the maintenance, repair, and improvement of highways, drainage, footpaths, public transport, and street cleaning.

It is also part of the Wells and Mendip Hills county constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom.