Langton Herring — Dorset, England
Langton Herring is a small village in west Dorset, which connects to the South West Coastal Path on the Jurassic Coast, a World Heritage Site; with a plethora of spectacular views a few minutes away on the Fleet Lagoon.
The village is not recorded in the Domesday Book Records; however subsequent records indicate that in 1086, Hugh Fitz Grip held a manor referred to as Langeton. In the 13th Century the 'Harang' family were the Lords of the Manor, with the eventual corruption of the two names merging into Langton Herring. The village continues to have one principal landowner, whose residence is at Langton Herring Manor House. This picturesque village has generally maintained its quaint appearance, with a number of original thatched cottages from the 17th and 18th Century still in evidence.
At the entrance of the village is a 'modern' touch, evidenced by the public telephone housed in a red painted framework, giving the village a hint of modernity without being incongruous with the ancient aura of the village. This aura is consistent with the architectural mix of medieval and Victorian, with Gothic details on the Parish Church and Village Hall, a variety of older mature trees, the angles of intersecting lanes, with varying street levels; buildings made with local Forest Marble, Corallian limestone, brick, clay tiles and thatch. This quiet rural, primarily agricultural village is all but hidden from the main route by the myriad of trees and gardens that abound in the village.
It is interesting that for a small village there are four Listed Buildings located here, with at least seven local buildings of interest. As in many old villages, the Parish Church, dedicated to St Peter, is a small stone Gothic building. The church has an 18th century tower and much Victorian restoration, with the church registers dating from 1682. The other Listed buildings are the Old Rectory in the centre of the village, the Village Hall and the village Pound which is a stone walled enclosure not far from the Elm Tree Inn. The Elm Tree Inn is considered an important building of the Victorian genre, and although this refers to architectural and archeological importance, its more colorful and somewhat chequered history refers to smuggling. Stories of smugglers and a possible hidden cellar used for contraband can be found at the Elm Tree Inn. As most coastal villages, Langton Herring shares tales of their own smugglers. The records show that five members of the Vivian family were convicted of smuggling between 1818 and 1832; not to mention several others being tried during this period of time.
Langton Herring also draws its share of artists in search of new venues to photograph and paint; especially noted in this regard is the picturesque Badgers Cottage. All this makes Langton Herring an ideal village to stop at, whether for the picturesque charm, the history, or a walk to the Fleet Lagoon and views of Chesil Beach where fish and birds are there for the sighting. Also of note in the village are church records listing all the men of Langton Herring that returned from both World Wars, as this village is one of the few 'Thankful Villages' in the country, being spared of any fatalities in the Great War.
Where is Langton Herring?Langton Herring is located in west Dorset along the B3157 between Weymouth and Portesham. The nearest populated areas include Portesham to the north and Weymouth to the east. Map of Langton Herring, circa 1940.
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