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There
have been visitors flocking to Steyning since Saint Cuthman's shrine
first attracted Saxon pilgrims to the church.
After
the Norman Conquest, 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 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.
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