Banksy 'buys village pub for £1million' near Glastonbury Festival

13 April 2023 , 05:46

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The pub is in Pilton, Somerset

Banksy has reportedly bought a pub in the village that is home to Glastonbury Festival.

According to reports the undercover graffiti artist is rumoured to be part of a group that renovated The Crown pub in Pilton, Somerset.

The group reportedly spent £1million doing the 18th-century inn up, including adorning the restaurant area with quirky art.

While taxidermy installations adorn the walls, none of the artwork on display is believed to have been created by Banksy.

However, some of the works in the pub are by Dorcas Casey, who was featured in Banksy's 2015 Dismaland exhibition.

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The Sun reported that Banksy was hoping to invest some of his fortune into the pub, according to sources.

The restaurant features quirky artwork on the walls

Locals have reported to have seen Banksy in the flesh, with one who did not want to be named, stating: “Everyone here is talking about it. He’s been known to watch the rugby in the pub.”

A source told the outlet: “Banksy loved the idea of being part of Glastonbury and its right-on message.

"It’s also a gateway to all the music superstars who attend. He has put a decent chunk of money in.”

However, Owain Powell, who currently runs the pub with his partner Rowena Draper, denied Banksy was involved and said: “I bought the pub with a couple of friends.”

Locals have reportedly seen the elusive graffiti artist in the area (Banksy/Instagram)

The couple live on a camp next to Worthy Farm, the site of Glastonbury Festival.

The festival's co-creator, Michael Eavis, is known to frequent The Crown, alongside his large crew and performers.

It had also been rumoured that Michael's daughter Emily, who runs Glastonbury Festival, also put some of her money into the pub.

Upon it's re-opening, Eavis marched a flame from his “Tolpuddle fire”, which burns constantly on the festival site, in tribute to martyrs who fought for workers’ rights

Sophie Goodall