St. Peter, Langton Herring

Description

St Peter's is a small Grade II listed building located in the centre of the picturesque village of Langton Herring. There is a sense of the sacred in this quiet, tranquil place for those seeking solitude, to pray, or the opportunity to simply sit quietly for a while. It is only 20 minutes on foot through beautiful Dorset countryside to the Fleet Lagoon behind Chesil Bank - a 17-mile stretch of shingle and a National Nature Reserve, itself a special unique place of silence, described by author Ian McEwan (famous for Atonement/On Chesil Beach) as 'a liminal space'.

Parts of the Church were built in the late 13th century, but it is likely there was a Christian presence well before. The Church was enlarged and substantially rebuilt in the early 20th century, but original parts still remain including the Tower, part of the North wall, and a single lancet window in the chancel. The font, bells and woodwork date from the 15th - 17th Century.
The village is close to the South Dorset Ridgeway, famous for its ancient monuments and settlements, from Neolithic to Medieval. Hidden in a copse by the B3157 is Langton Cross, thought to be a 14th Century way marker on an ancient pilgrim route to Abbotsbury a few miles west.

Open all year around 9 a.m. until dusk.
Services every Sunday at different times each week: More information at www.achurchnearyou.com/church/9280/

Location

Church Hill, Langton Herring, Dorset, DT3 4HU, United Kingdom

Directions

Grid reference: SY 61438 82462
By car: Access is easiest by car or taxi.
If coming by car from the east or north follow signs to Weymouth on the A354 until the Weymouth Relief Road, then follow signs to Abbotsbury on the B3157, turning left to Langton Herring, then follow signs to the Elm Tree Inn. The church is just around the corner. There is limited, but free parking in the village.
From the west take the A35 to Bridport, then B3157 coast road, via Abbotsbury and Portesham. Then take the second signposted turning on the right to the village, and follow signs to the Elm Tree Inn, as above.
Public transport: Langton Herring is 5.5 miles from Weymouth Rail Station (trains from Waterloo/Portsmouth/Bristol/Gloucester).

Facilities

Although access from Church Hill is level, there are some small steps in the entrance porch, which also has a heavy oak door, and steps up to the sanctuary.
There is no water supply to the church, so there are no toilet facilities on the premises, but if open, the Elm Tree Inn is next door and Village Hall is across the road.
The peaceful churchyard, with benches, is accessible through a gate from Church Hill.
Refreshments available at the Elm Tree Inn next door to St Peters Church. Many holiday cottages, B&Bs and campsites in the village and local area.
Hospitaller can be available by prior arrangement (see below - additional telephone numbers 07906 138988 and 07703 041341)

Hospitaller/Contact Person

Bronwen and Martin Pearson

Tel: 01305 871928

Email:

Web Link

http://www.langtonherring.org.uk

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