Monument record MDO7767 - Drove road, Langton Matravers

Along the High Street westward ... is an extremely narrow road known as the `Priestway' ... a rut worn ancient adit and exist for the quarry carts from Newton and Herston Hills. Prestway it is called still, because by this path anciently went and came the priest of Worth parish church of which it is said that Swanage was at first only a chapelry. <1>

Priest's Way is the Prestwaye of 1305. (Calender of the Close rolls 1227). <3>

The traditional origin of the way is that it is constituated the route by which the priests of Worth proceeded to Swanage to perform their duties. It will be remembered that Swanage was in the parish of Worth and was served by a chapel of ease. The two places were not ecclesiastically severed until the beginning of the 16th century. The name Priest Way presumably, therefore, came into use before this date. The council wil be aware that there is a considerable body of local tradition to the effect that the Priest's Way is a highway of antiquity although obviously no living person can give evidence of his own memory of its condition prior to 1835. <4>

Whilst it is obvious that the `Priest's Way' is a track of great antiquity, the sole visible portion that bears signs of great
age is the much worn paving and cobble extending from SZ 00327788-SZ 00037783. Elsewhere the visible metalling appears to be completely modern. (Course plotted from photostats of 2" Map 1825/26 and OS 1" sheet 16 (1853). <5>

<1> Robinson, C E, 1882, Picturesque Rambles in the Isle of Purbeck (Monograph). SDO9701.

<2> Ordnance Survey, Ordnance Survey Map 6in, 1926/1938 (Map). SWX1540.

(SY 97957802-SZ 02507870) Priest's Way (NAT)

<3> Fagersten, A, 1933, Place-names of Dorset (Monograph). SDO17521.

<4> Withers & Co, 1934, Letter dated 6th Nov 1934 addressed to Clerk Swanage UDC from Withers and Co (Solicitors) Howard House 4 Arundel St London WC2 (Verbal communication). SDO19739.

<5> Colquhoun, F D, Field Investigators Comments FDC, F1 FDC 23-DEC-52 (Unpublished document). SWX2609.

<6> Historic England, Historic England Archive, F53/8/1 (Index). SDO14738.

PROBABLY MEDIEVAL. TRADITIONAL ROUTE FOR THE PRIESTS OF WORTH WHEN GOING TO SWANAGE. LOOKING EAST

<7> Historic England, Historic England Archive, F53/8/2 (Index). SDO14738.

PROBABLY MEDIEVAL. PAVED PORTION OF PRIEST'S WAY

<8> Historic England, Historic England Archive, F53/8/3 (Index). SDO14738.

PROBABLY MEDIEVAL. LOOKING WEST PROBABLY MEDIEVAL. LOOKING WEST

<9> National Record of the Historic Environment, 456379 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Apr 17 2023 6:55AM