trades & businesses

Cuckfield has been a centre for trades and businesses for hundreds of years. There is evidence that it was a thriving market town as early as the C13th and the museum has a copy of a market charter dated 1670.

In the 15th and 16th centuries, the area around Cuckfield was known for the many iron foundries which contributed to the wealth of the county.  Click here for more information.

There is a long tradition of clockmaking in the town (click here) and there are a number of historic clocks on display in the Museum.

Due to Cuckfield’s key position on arterial roads across Sussex, coaching became an important part of the town’s life in the 17th and 18th centuries and the various inns would have been well used in the past, as they are today.  Click here for more information.