Pirton, Hertfordshire

Pirton is a large village and civil parish three miles northwest of Hitchin in Hertfordshire, England. The population of the civil parish at the 2011 census was 1,274.[1]

Pirton
St Mary's Church, Pirton
Pirton Location within Hertfordshire
Population	1,274 (2011 Census)[1]
OS grid reference	TL147317
District	North Hertfordshire
Shire county	Hertfordshire
Region	East
Country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	Hitchin
Postcode district	SG5
Dialling code	01462
Police	Hertfordshire
Fire	Hertfordshire
Ambulance	East of England
UK Parliament	Hitchin and Harpenden

The church, rebuilt in 1877, but with the remains of its 12th-century tower, is built within the bailey of a former castle, Toot Hill.[2] Pirton Grange, which was remodelled in the 18th century, is in the north of the parish, and is a particularly interesting, moated Elizabethan house with a timber-framed gatehouse. Hammonds Farm and Rectory Farm, with its tithe barn, are also Elizabethan.

Pirton first appeared in official records in the Domesday Book in 1086 within the hundred of Hitchin.[3] The village was then known as Peritone (meaning 'Homestead of Pears')[4]

The Icknield Way Path passes through the village on its 110-mile (180 km) journey from Ivinghoe Beacon in Buckinghamshire to Knettishall Heath in Suffolk. The Icknield Way Trail, a multi-user route for walkers, horse riders and off-road cyclists also passes through the village.

There are two churches in Pirton - one Methodist, one Anglican. There is a village school which teaches children from reception to Year 6. Many students continue on at Hitchin Priory. There are two local pubs - the Motte and Bailey on Great Green, and the Fox on High Street. Pirton has both football and cricket clubs.