About Longburton

Longburton comes from the Old English lang ((long) and burh-tun (fortified farm or farm near a fortification). A number of versions of the village name have been adopted over the centuries. This is hardly surprising in the period before spelling was standardised. Early references show Burton (1244), Buryton (1285), Bourton (1316) and Langebourton (1460).

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Population 482 persons in 216 households.

(Source: Nov. 2021 Dorset Council - Insights)

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Longburton (also Long Burton) is a ribbon-developed village situated in the beautiful Blackmoor Vale, three miles south of Sherborne on the old Dorchester to Sherborne turnpike (now A352). The name derives from the Old English words ‘burgh’ – a fortified manor, and ‘tun’ – a homestead or village. It was presumably called ‘Long’ to distinguish it from the four other Burtons in Dorset, and its current form of one word developed during the C19th. The manor of Long Burton was held by Sir Walter Raleigh during the C16th.

Part of the village lies within a Conservation Area and includes ten Grade II listed buildings, being mainly traditional Dorset stone cottages circa C17th, but also The Rose & Crown, a C14th thatched roofed public house, and a Victorian village school (now the village hall). The Grade I church, dedicated to St James, is mainly C15th but parts of the tower date from the C13th.

Current industries are dairy farming and cider apple growing, but in former times also included stone quarrying and glove-making. The 2011 census figures record a population (by household) of 470.

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Churches

St James the Great, Longburton.

Sherborne Abbey website: Sherborne Abbey - St James the Great

Longburton Methodist Church

Yeovil & Blackmore Vale website: Yeovil & Blackmore Vale - Longburton

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Listed Buildings

There is 1 x Grade I listed building (Parish Church of St James) and 14 x Grade II buildings.

British Listed Buildings website: British Listed Buildings - Longburton

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