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.[5][6]
Landmarks
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 such as The King's Arms.[2] The Plough Inn hosts a jazz evening on the first Sunday of every month.[7] Pilning Cricket Club was established in 1883.[8]
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.[9] The village also contains the St Mary's Indian Orthodox Church.[10]
Pilning had an annual Carnival,[11] and an amateur dramatic society, "The Village Players". At Christmas 2015 the "Players" put on a pantomime production of "Mother Goose".[12]