#6 'A history of Chailey in 50 images'

The sixth image in my history of the parish in 50 images. Continuing with the photographically awkward 12th century - drovers' trails. These are probably one of the most extensive archaeological features in southern England and we have miles of them in our parish. In some places there are 14 parallel sets of banks and ditches running through woods and across heathland - anywhere that hasn't been under the plough. They may of course be much older than the 12th century but we know that there was a livestock market at the crossroads at that time and these trails all funnel in towards that one point and then out again, heading north they funnel in again towards the crossing of the river Ouse at Sheffield Bridge on the route to the bigger markets of East Grinstead and London. This one is particularly deep and may have been used subsequently as a sunken lane to bypass the turnpike road (which it runs parallel with) in the 17th century.

Previous entries in this history are on: 5th, 8th, 22nd and 27th January, 2nd February.