Chequer Inn, Grade II listed inn in Steyning, England.
Chequer Inn is a medieval coaching house in Steyning with white-painted walls, timber framing, and mathematical tiles across its front. The evenly spaced sash windows create the distinctive character of this historic Grade II listed building.
Built in 1440, this coaching house served as a vital stop for mail and passenger coaches during the era of horse travel. It also functioned as a courthouse, establishing itself as a center for legal and administrative matters.
The checkered sign displayed here traces back to a 1393 royal order requiring tavern keepers to show visible markers for official inspectors. Visitors can still see this medieval advertising tradition reflected in the inn's appearance today.
The inn offers overnight stays in family, double, and twin rooms with private bathrooms, plus a restaurant serving British food. Be aware that the narrow staircases and low doorways typical of buildings this age may present challenges for taller guests or those with mobility issues.
In the 1800s, the inn had eight separate bedrooms deliberately divided into gentlemen's quarters and spaces for cattle drovers. This arrangement shows how travelers were housed according to their social rank, a practice that reveals much about the period.
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