Chequer Inn
41 High StreetSteyning
BN44 3RE
See more about this pub on WhatPub, CAMRA's national pub guide.
Taken over by Shepherd Neame in June 2016, the Chequer Inn is a historic 15th Century Coaching House believed to date from around 1440. The inn today retains many of its original features, including open fires and intriguing timber-framed architecture which reflect its fascinating 500+ year history. Home-cooked food is served in the dining room, or near to the open log fire in the Saloon Bar, along with local ales. A 100 year old snooker table is also available in the billiard/snooker room, and there are large screen plasma TVs in the Public Bar for popular sporting events. Historic Note: Apart from supplying accommodation and a change of horses for passenger or mail coaches The Chequer Inn has also acted as a Court House, Jail, Auction Room, Post Office, Cornoner's Inquest office, Trading Post and an important local meeting place. In the 19th Century accommodation was provided in eight chambers ranging from gentlemen's rooms with curtained four-post beds to the drovers' quarters containing straw beds or palliases. Servants also lived on the premises, usually numbering around six according to the inn's documents from this time. During this period the Chequer consisted of a Smoking Bar and a Gaming Room. Teas were also served in the more genteel Lower Saloon and cock fights were also held at the inn.