Old Roads & Paths
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 Stepleton and Abbas Parishes. 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 Abbas 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.
The village was at the junction of two ancient tracks. One, to the west of Copyhold Lane which ran down from the Roman Road to the north and the other, the present Manor Farm lane. There is a footpath opposite Copyright lane on the other side of the present A35 road suggesting that there wsa a route to the south. The meeting point of these tracks in the village was at the small village "green" (the site of the present day bus shelter).
Mediaeval Roads :
The main Mediaeval road north / south was the Abbots Way that ran between the Benedictine Abbeys at Abbotsbury (to the south) and Cerne Abbas (to the north). The old Roman Road probably continued in use east / west but a track must have followed the South Winterbourne stream running along the valley to connect the various villages.
< 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 ran through Frampton down to Friar Waddon and Corton (Friar Waddon - east of Portesham). Today these routes are just bridleways.
Above : Extract of Isaac Taylor's 1765 map of Dorset.
The old Roman Road running across the northern parish boundary appears to be a major route before the construction of the Turnpike roads that ran through and connected up the villages in the valley. Note that the Nine Stones are marked and Winterbourne Down (mentioned in 1808 record below) is the area to the west of these stones.
Early 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 the 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 : Notices in the Salisbury & Winchester Journal dated 4th August 1808 (Published Monday 15th August) mention the Turnpike and other roads in the area together with a public auction of common lands. With Public meeting and auction held in the Coach & Horses Inn, Winterbourne Abbas
Above : Extract of Inclosure made in 1810
Above : Milestone to west of village on A35
