Discover Langton Matravers

Langton Matravers Local History and Preservation Society

Registered Charity No. 272407
CIO Registered Charity No. 1212578

Our aims are to research, record, collect, publish and exhibit all things relating to the history and development of the parish of Langton Matravers, with particular emphasis on the Purbeck Stone Industry.

The Museum
The museum is now closed for the winter. The Purbeck Stone Museum is open Tuesday to Saturday, from 10am to 12 noon and from 2pm to 4pm, April to September.
Find out more about our museum by clicking here.

Our Next Event
Brandy for the Parson, Baccy for the Clerk - Smuggling on the Coastline of Dorset
a talk by Mike Randall
Thursday 20th November
See Forthcoming Events for details.

Discover Us

An Introduction to Langton Matravers Local History and Preservation Society

The Langton Matravers Local History and Preservation Society arose from the huge enthusiasm of Reginald Saville who was born in 1922 in the village which continued to be his home until his death in February 2019.

The Society became his lifetime passion and in the early years of its creation he enjoyed the assistance of other residents, notably Jim Bradford who, until his recent death, lived in Langton Matravers.

The Purbeck Stone Museum and the Langton Matravers Museum

The Purbeck Stone Museum and Langton Matravers Museum

Our Museum - A Historical Gem

There is a hidden treasure in Purbeck that is known to all too few of the people who live here. In fact most of the visitors it receives from April to September each year are holidaymakers, and they are all full of praise for what they discover. You can find some Google Reviews of the museum by clicking here, and if you have visited, why not leave a review yourself?
Find out more about our museum by clicking here to go to our Museum page.

The Museum

Publications

We have a considerable number of local genealogical charts; many relevant Society publications including Parish Registers, details of Monuments in the Churchyard and Cemetery (Anglican and Non Conformist); and some Census transcriptions. Other publications cover the history of local villages, the history of Purbeck Stone quarrying, and Langton Matravers in World War II. Click here to see our publications.

Publications

Family Histories

If you are tracing information about Langton Matravers families, most information will be found by clicking the Publications link at the top or bottom of the page and then Family Histories or Books & CDs.

Family Histories

Forthcoming Events

We have a regular programme of talks and events.
Everyone is welcome, both members and non-members.

LMLHPS/DDCAG Archaeological Dig

Would you like to try your hand at being a Digger?

The Society, in collaboration with the Dorset Diggers Community Archaeology Group, are undertaking a dig to explore medieval remains at a site in the locality. We are trying to find out how long the site was lived in, what the house structures were like, and any traces of the people who lived there. The dig is led by a professional archaeologist, and the team meet twice a week, usually on Wednesdays and Sundays. Volunteers can join in for half or a whole day: guidance and tools can be provided. The only requirement is that you are a member of the Society (necessary for insurance). For further information, contact [email protected]

Our Next Event

Forthcoming Events

Brandy for the Parson, Baccy for the Clerk - Smuggling on the Coastline of Dorset
a talk by Mike Randall
Thursday 20th November, 2025 in the Village Hall
7.30pm and doors open at 7.00pm

Next Event

Other Local Events and Local Projects

You can view information about upcoming local events put on by other organisations, as well as information about past events, by going to the Other Local Events page. To find out about ongoing local projects, please visit the Local Projects page.

Join Us

We are always pleased to welcome new members.
Benefits include free admission to the Museum and periodical newsletters. You can even join the society or renew your membership on the door at any of our events!

Membership

The Latest News

Find out what's been happening recently on the Latest News page.
The minutes of the LMLHPS AGM can be read on or downloaded from the Latest News page.
We also keep you informed through regular newsletters which can be viewed and downloaded on the Newsletter page.

The Barton Legacy

The Society has the great good fortune to be the recipient of a wonderful legacy from Reg Saville in the form of Barton, his home for many years and that of his grandparents before him.

Barton Legacy

Reg Saville

Visitors to the website will soon discover that without Reg Saville there would have been no Langton Matravers Local History and Preservation Society.
Before he died he was adamant in the way only Reg could be that he did not wish to have a large funeral and that wish was honoured by his family when they and no-one else laid him to rest in the village cemetery.
However, ‘the village’ would not let him go without a Celebration of his Life and every seat was taken for an event which took place on 6 March 2019 with members of his family present and pleased to be so!
Click here for the unedited notes from the memory of Reg’s life given by David Selman with the aid of others who knew him well.