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.
We open again in April 2027.
Find out more about our museum by clicking here.

Our Next Event
A History in the Purbeck Landscape by Brian Margetson, Thursday 22nd October 2026, 7.00pm for 7.30pm

Exhibition

There is an Exhibition in St George's Church from Saturday 8th August 2026. Scroll down for further 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.

Twelve custodians, volunteers and reserves gather outside the museum at this year's opening. If you would like to volunteer alongside them, please do get in touch. You can enquire using the contact form on this website.

Visitors' Comments and Online Reviews

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 over the autumn and winter period.
Everyone is welcome, both members and non-members. See Forthcoming Events.

Our Next Event

Our Next Event
A History in the Purbeck Landscape by Brian Margetson, Thursday 22nd October 2026, 7.00pm for 7.30pm
Click here for more details.

exhibition_poster.pdf
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Forthcoming Events

Next Event

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]

The Afflington 'Finds' Exhibition

Come and see our new exhibit at the museum!
We’re featuring finds from the archaeological dig at Afflington, which is supported by the Society and now in its third season. The Dorset Diggers and members of the Society have been meeting regularly at the site of what is technically called a ‘Deserted Medieval Village’ (DMV), actually probably a hamlet of c.15 houses. We are trying to find out when it was first settled, and when it was deserted, hoping too to find out more about how people lived then. There are photos of the dig site and accompanying information, along with pottery and metal objects which give clues about the age of the settlement.
The museum is open Tuesday-Saturday, 10am - 12noon and 2pm - 4pm.
We look forward to seeing you there.

To find out the latest news about this dig at Afflington, follow this link to the Swanage News website where you will find an article with historical details, photographs of exciting finds and insights into the lives of past inhabitants of this part of Dorset.
https://www.swanage.news/historical-finds-start-to-unravel-mystery-of-purbecks-lost-village/

Downloadable information packs related to Patrick Corbett's recent talk for the society.

After his successful talk on 15th January, Patrick Corbett has kindly provided information packs entitled 'The Geology of the Quarry to Castle Trail' and 'Radar Love in Purbeck'. These may be downloaded using the links below.

The Geology of the Quarry to Castle Trail.pdf
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Radar love in Purbeck.pdf
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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.

Free Guided Collage Workshops

Wednesday 1st, Saturday 4th and Wednesday 8th July 2026, 10am - 12pm and 1 - 3pm
Ever wanted to try your hand at collage?
Join Coasts in Mind and artist Jodie House to create your own collage exploring coastal change in Poole Harbour.

For more details and how to book, go to the Other Local Events page.

Join Amanda Randall on this guided walking tour around the local area.

Starting at Burngate we’ll take a stroll through the local area of Acton, then visit Langton Museum. We’ll gain an appreciation of Purbeck geology and spot evidence of historical quarry working.

Click on the following link to find out more and book your place on this exciting guided walk. Quarry Tracks - Burngate Purbeck Stone Centre

Other Local Events

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.