Pubs in Steyning
You can walk to the pubs in Steyning from Rosebud Cottage in under 10 minutes!
The Star
The Star Inn, in the High Street, is the most recent, yet dates back to the early 1700’s! It’s a cosy place in the winter months, whilst in the summer you can relax outside in their garden.
Emma who runs the pub, provides a very friendly welcome. You can buy excellent pizzas in the car park on a Wednesday evening and eat them inside!
The Chequer Inn
A little further on you’ll find The Chequer Inn – a historic 15th century coaching house.
The inn today retains many of its original features, including open fires and intriguing timber-framed architecture.
Over the years, apart from supplying accommodation and a change of horses for passenger or mail coaches, the Chequer Inn also acted as a court house, gaol, auction room, post office, coroner’s inquest office, trading post and an important local meeting place.
The Sign and Light
In 1393 King Richard II created a law requiring alehouses to hang a sign outside. These had illustrations so the mostly illiterate population could understand them. The name “The Checkers” or “The Chequers” comes from the design on the pub’s sign; this originated in ancient Rome, where a chequer board indicated that a bar also provided banking services. The checked board was an aid to counting and is the origin of the word ‘exchequer’.
In the 17th-century, ale houses and inns had to hang out lanterns to help illuminate the street. In Steyning, the hook at the end of the Chequer sign bracket was used to support the town lamp.
You can eat at the pub during the day and evenings (except Sunday).
The White Horse
The last pub you’ll see is The White Horse, which was probably the oldest site.
There are references to the building from 1614, but is probably older. Along with the Chequer Inn it became a coaching stop.
It was extensively refurbished in the 18th century and was the venue of borough court hearings, quarter sessions and important meetings. In the 19th century it was also home to the local tax office and a staging house for long distance post.
Sadly in 1949 a fire ripped through the part of the building facing the street and the remains were demolished.
You can enjoy a meal in the pub or in the adjacent restaurant. Find out more
The King’s Head
Just a mile away, you’ll find The King’s Head in Beeding. This is described as an inn in records dating back to 1788. It has a lovely large garden which overlooks the Rive Adur.
Read about Steyning
