St George's church & churchyard, Langton Matravers

An architectural oddity

The mid 15th century tower (at left) is dwarfed by the roof of a later rebuilding.

It is thought a church may have been built here in the 7th century, at the time of St Aldhelm.

The church collapsed in the early 19th century because of the activities of local smugglers.  Too many smuggled barrels - of brandy or rum, presumably - were stored in its rafters, and the roof fell in.

(Could the rector have been unaware of the use to which his church had been put?)

Smuggling was a major pastime in this part of Dorset, with its rugged coastline.