Old Roads
Pre-historic Roads :
It is very likely that the "pre Roman" routes existed long before the invasion of AD43. There is much evidence of occupation in the valley from the earliest times and most tracks would have been pathways used on foot.
Roman Road :
The Roman Road built westward from Dorchester down to Exeter forms the northern boundary of Steepleton Parish. The road was built reasonably early during the Roman Invasion, probably first as a military road to Exeter. Maiden Castle was captured in about 44AD only a year after the main invasion in Kent. The road west to Dorchester was built about 45AD and by 55AD the II Legion Augusta had reached and built a fort at Exeter.
The modern A35 follows its route until it follows the 2nd Turnpike and drops down into the valley (near the pallets). Further east, the Roman Road can be clearly seen from the A35 when travelling west and continues straight on with the modern single lane road following its route.
Anglo-Saxon :
Winterbourne Steepleton lies between Wareham (the largest Saxon Burh in the area) and Bridport Burh to the west. It may have even been on the main route between the two settlements and this may have given rise to the Anglo Saxon church being built here.
Mediaeval Roads :
The main Mediaeval road was the Abbots Way that ran between the Benedictine Abbeys at Abbotsbury (to the south) and Cerne Abbas (to the north).
Many smaller tracks and lanes were also in use with a trackway leading up the North Hill from the mill / church area still visible today. (see photos below)
Left : Trackway in North Hill (looking up to west)
Same trackway : looking down to east) (RC 032018)
< Left : An extract of Thomas & John Osborne's pocket atlas Geographia Magnae Britanniae published in 1748 and engraved by Thomas Hutchinson.
It is especially interesting as it was one of the last maps to show the old road system before the construction of the Turnpikes.
Note that the main route north/south past Winterbourne Abbas & Steepleton ran through Frampton down to Frier Waddon and Corton (Friar Waddon - east of Portesham). Today these routes are just bridleways.
Turnpike Roads :
The Second Turnpike Trust in Dorset was set up by an Act of 1753/4 (Harnham, Blandford and Dorchester Trust). The Turnpike road running west from Dorchester followed the old Roman Road for about three miles before following an existing route down into the South Winterbourne valley between Steepleton and Abbas and then running westward through Winterbourne Abbas village itself - the precursor of the present A35.
Another Turnpike (Weymouth, Melcombe Regis and Dorchester Trust) set up in 1761, saw a road run from Broadwey near Weymouth via Stottingway and Ashton (east of Martinstown) to join up with the 1753 road at Steepleton.
Another Turnpike (Abbotsbury & Bridport Trust) of 1776, saw a road run from Portesham over Black Down down to join the existing roads at Steepleton.
Another Turnpike (Maiden Newton Trust) of 1777/8, saw a road run from Frampton to join the Western Turnpike at Steepleton.
Below : Isaac Taylor's map of 1765 shows the earlier Turnpike Roads :
