WORTH MATRAVERS . DORSET . St Nicholas of Myra

ST NICHOLAS OF MYRA . DORSET

GRADE I ❖ c. 1100; additions C13; later restorations / alterations. ‘One of the oldest and least altered early Norman churches in Dorset’; admired by Pevsner. Importantly, recent extensive work with much community support. For thirst after righteousness, the Square & Compass pub is excellent on a sunny day. 5 miles due W of Swanage. 50.5968 / -2.0397 / SY972774

DIAL

The dial is LHS of S porch entrance. Unless you are specifically looking for the dial and know its approximate location, you are unlikely spot it – at least, not straight away.

GLP carried out his comprehensive survey of all known medieval scratch dials in Dorset in 1996 / 97. 40 years on, there have been a number of reasons why ‘dial collecting’ has become harder. Some have been partially or completely been lost to damage (Bridport); others have become concealed by eg lichen (as here); and so forth. Below, I have included the BSS record from the earlier survey.

THE ELUSIVE DIAL

BSS RECORD c1996

Compared to the dial we (partly) see today, the careful examination then is of a plainly visible 7-line dial, complete with accurately measured angles. Now, in 2026, it was difficult even to get a clear photo.