A Dorset Parish - Langton Herring village is next to the Fleet, and Chesil Beach on the Jurassic Coast

Originally called Langetone, meaning long village or enclosure in Anglo Saxon times. Although there are numerous Neolithic, Bronze & Iron Age and Roman finds in this part of Dorset, the first document that mentions the village is the Domesday Book in 1086. Only later in Norman times did the name Herring get added, due to the Harang family who acquired the Manor in the 13th Century. Prior to that it had also been known as Langton Sarmonvill or Swinevill after the De Sermonville family.

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Although the original Manor, which was probably behind the Village Hall (formerly the School) has disappeared, it is likely that some parts of St Peter's Church date from that time.

A new Manor House was built in the 19th Century to the north of the village, and the Church was also renovated soon after that .

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Langton Cross stands in a copse at the corner of the Weymouth road, used as a waymark for pilgrims to Abbotsbury. An ancient stone probably of 14th Century origin.

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The village also has an old Limekiln, in a field on the north side of the road from Langton Cross, scene of the tragic deaths of 4 boys, buried in the churchyard.

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Also outside the village to the north of the Coastguards bridleway there are still signs of the medieval strip cultivation, although fields were enclosed in 1761.