Tracing the Rails

Mike examines the cinematic side of Steyning Station, touring the hotels that once welcomed its visitors and revealing their historical role. At the same time, Stephen revisits his childhood memories of steam, exploring the era’s lingering impressions and how they shaped his perspective.

Steyning is a television programme presented as a single episode that looks at the historic and cultural aspects of the town’s railway heritage. The episode is structured around two on‑screen contributors who each follow a different line of inquiry related to the old station and its surroundings. Mike turns his attention to the cinematic side of Steyning Station, tracing how the location has been used in film and what that legacy means for the area. He also visits the hotels that were once popular with travellers and film crews, giving a sense of how accommodation and hospitality have evolved around the railway hub. At the same time, Stephen takes a more personal route, digging into memories of steam trains from his own childhood. He reflects on the sounds, sights and feelings of that era, linking his recollections to the broader story of the railway’s impact on the community. Together, the two segments provide a rounded picture of Steyning’s railway past, combining the visual allure of its appearance on screen with the nostalgic resonance of steam travel. The episode weaves these perspectives into a concise look at how the station and its associated venues have shaped, and been shaped by, both visitors and locals over the years.