Steyning: Pretty as a Picture – Steyning Museum Trust

but does the old place still look the same?

A Visitor’s View of Our Town

There have been visitors flocking to Steyning since Saint Cuthman’s shrine first attracted Saxon pilgrims to the church. The town had a thriving port and links to key communication routes.

After the Norman Conquest the port declined, but markets and fairs drew people from across Sussex and as far away as Wales. Cattle, sheep, horses and other livestock came too. The Steyning horse fair continued until 1976.

The old coaching route between London and the South Coast brought many weary travellers to Steyning. After a change of horses and perhaps a night’s rest at the White Horse or the Chequer Inn, passengers were soon back on the bumpy road to complete their gruelling journey.

In 1861, the steam train brought a new lease of life to the town and its market. The first day-trippers appeared. Horses eventually made way for the car and after one hundred years of service, the railway suffered too. Steyning station closed in 1966 and the railway line became the road route for the Steyning bypass.

Today, Steyning still attracts more than its fair share of visitors. Most come to enjoy a leisurely walk around the ancient little town, a nice cup of tea – or perhaps something stronger in an old Steyning pub and, of course, an hour or so immersed in history at the museum.

Pictures, photographs and postcards have survived, showing the local scenes most loved by generations of Steyning visitors. So does the old place still look the same? The following images are taken from Steyning Museum’s extensive collection.

This is Steyning church as it appears on a postcard in Steyning Museum. Saint Andrew’s is one of the finest examples of Norman architecture to have survived in Sussex.
This coloured engraving appeared in “Excursions Through Sussex”, published in 1821. The idyllic local scene, and the painting of 1880 at the top of the page, show how little has changed with the passing of many years.
The wooden lychgate, still there today, was added to the churchyard in 1856. The photograph for this postcard was taken in 1912.
Saxon Cottage in Church Street is probably the most famous of Steyning’s many timber-framed buildings. It dates from about 1550 and is currently owned by the National Trust. This postcard shows the gingerbread-house colouring and “catslide” thatched roof especially loved by children.
This is how Saxon Cottage appeared in 1836. Even the picket fence and the roses around the door seem unchanged. Steyning Museum was housed briefly in Saxon Cottage before moving to its present purpose-built home in 1990.
The Workhouse Cottages in Mouse Lane are a wonderful example of a 15th century Wealden-type hall house. This postcard is on sale at Steyning Museum. In 1835, rioting shook the town as families in the Workhouse protested against being separated by the authorities and local people supported them.
This postcard shows the Workhouse Cottages in 1910, by then converted into three family homes. The scene is described as “Ye Olde Time Workhouse at Steyning”. The building served as the town workhouse between 1729 and 1835.
The clock tower above Market House is a familiar landmark at the centre of Steyning High Street. The clock is said to have been given to the town by the local landowner, the Duke of Norfolk and to have come from his pigeon house at Michelgrove – but see HERE. This postcard is on sale at Steyning Museum.
The Market House replaced an earlier market hall in the High Street. Since 1771, it has been the manorial court, town hall and general meeting house, the jail, the police station and, until 1936, the fire station. This postcard of 1910 shows the old horse-drawn fire engine at the entrance. When the fire bell rang, horses stabled at the White Horse Inn would make their way over the road to join the fire engine and its crew. Read more about the Market House via the History page.
The Chequer Inn pub in Steyning High Street was originally a coaching inn. It was built in the 15th century. Like several other local buildings, its timber-framed construction is concealed behind an 18th century facade. The new brick frontage was considered smart and fashionable compared to the ramshackle ‘medieval look’. This postcard is on sale at Steyning Museum.
In 1869, the Chequer Inn had the same beautiful wrought iron bracket to display its sign. The animal pens shown in the road were probably there for the livestock market. Old photographs show that animals frequently roamed the street untethered.
Church Street joins the High Street at a crossroad. At this point there are several medieval buildings in view. This is the Wealden-type hall house near the corner of Church Street. The postcard is on sale at Steyning Museum.
Church Street was formerly known as Middle Street. Until 1890, the date of this drawing, animals were sold in the street. Then the livestock markets moved to a site near the railway station and a scene familiar for many centuries came to an end.
The old Grammar School buildings in Church Street are still in use. There was a school for boys here recorded in 1579. The timbers in the oldest part, Brotherhood Hall, have been dated to 1461. Read more about Steyning Grammar School via the History page.
The oldest house in Steyning stands on the High Street at the crossroad opposite Church Street. The flint lower storey dates from the early 14th century and the timber-framed upper storey is 16th century. There is some evidence that the Stone House was once a prison. Although there is no proof, the Steyning mint established by King Cnut is generally believed to have been on this site. This postcard picture of 1910 shows that one hundred years can pass with very little change. The caption below the cyclist says, “In an old fashioned town”. . .