About
By spurgeonator77 / March 11, 2026 / No Comments
Our Story
About The Crown Inn
A village pub with over 400 years of history, in the heart of Fivehead, Somerset.
Welcome
A Warm Welcome in the Heart of Somerset
Nestled in the picturesque village of Fivehead, The Crown Inn is a traditional country pub where good food, great drinks, and genuine hospitality come together.
Whether you're popping in for a pint after a countryside walk, settling in for a Sunday roast with the family, or celebrating a special occasion with friends — there's always a warm welcome waiting for you.
We take pride in serving quality food and real ales in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. Our kitchen team works with fresh, locally sourced ingredients wherever possible to bring you honest, hearty pub food done right.
[Pub Photo Here]
The Building
A Pub Since Approximately 1600
Many village pubs are located near churches as they tended to be built at the same time, housing the labourers and later quenching the thirst of the congregation. St Martin's Church was built in the 13th century, and it is claimed there has been a building on the site of the pub from that time.
In their report from 2005, the Somerset Vernacular Building Research Group (SVBRG) dates the pub from approximately 1600 based on the evidence of the beams and roof structure.
The inglenook fireplace has a small salt hole and would have had a curing chamber. There would have been a kitchen, cross-passage, hall, and inner room with chambers over. It is constructed from blue lias stone (now rendered) with flagstone floors. In 2003 an extension was added for a skittle alley and dining room.
Our History
From Beer House to Crown Inn
The earliest available record showing The Crown as a hostelry is the 1851 census, when it is referred to as 'Scott's Beer House', being run by the Scott Family. The first time it is referred to as The Crown Inn is in 1891.
The difference between a beer house and a conventional inn or pub was that it only had a licence to sell beer or cider, and not wines or spirits. The idea of a beer house goes back to the reaction against widespread gin drinking in the early 19th century, when Parliament made it legal for any householder to open his house for the sale of beer on payment of a modest fee.
In 1835, Joseph Scott — born in Seavington in 1799 — moved from Curry Mallet, where he was a blacksmith, to Fivehead with his wife Jane and their children. By the 1851 census, the family were living at Scott's Beer House, with Joseph's occupation listed as 'Beer House Keeper'.
In 1854 Jane died, and Joseph remarried in 1858 to Caroline Mitchum from Curry Rivel. The Beer House appears in Kelly's Directory of Somerset from 1861 until 1875, with Joseph running 'Scott's Beer House'.
The Pippen Years & Beyond
In 1862, Joseph's daughter Mary Ann married Henry Pippen, a publican from Curry Rivel. Sometime after 1875, Joseph left the pub for Mary Ann and Henry to run.
The 1881 census describes the hostelry as a 'public house', owned by Henry Pippen, now fully licensed. Mary Ann and Henry had two children — Melina Elizabeth who worked as a barmaid, and Charles Henry, who sadly died when just 5 months old.
Henry only ran the pub for a short period as he died in 1883. By 1891 the pub was known as 'The Crown Inn', run by Alfred Dinham — pig dealer and publican.
Through The Years
Our Landlords
Come Be Part of the Story
Over 400 years of hospitality. Pull up a chair and make yourself at home.
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