Steep formerly included two detached exclaves, the larger called Ambersham, which lay deep inside Sussex.

Beginning at an unknown point in the medieval period, the territory of the village of Steep formerly included two detached parish exclaves the larger of which was called Ambersham.

It dates from the late 15th century,[3] and was remodelled in 1600 (and in 1905 by the Arts and Crafts architect William Frederick Unsworth who lived here).

By 1600, Steep had a prospering local cloth-making industry and two fulling mills in operation, which were driven by the nearby Ashford Stream.

The early 17th century was also described by historian William Page as a "great rebuilding" of the village, in which redevelopment of many wooden buildings were replaced by stone structures.

[3][2] By the 1830s the British Agricultural Revolution had disturbed traditional society and created a class of labourers who struggled to support their families in rural areas.

This led to an unrest known as the Swing Riots which swept across southern England, consequently reaching Selborne and Liphook in September 1830.

There was also extensive land drainage between 1860 and 1880; conduits and sluices were constructed to take water from Ashford Stream for the artificial flooding of hay meadows.

[3][6] The First World War poet Edward Thomas lived in the village; his children attended Bedales and his wife also taught there.

[7] The prominent English poet, author and artist Thomas Sturge Moore lived at "Hillcroft" in Steep from 1919 to 1927, while his children Daniel and Riette attended Bedales.

Sturge Moore took an active interest in Bedales, giving readings, speaking at Sunday assemblies, and teaching a class in aesthetics in 1924–1925.

[6] Steep is located in the eastern part of southern Hampshire in South East England, 1.4 miles (2.3 km) north of Petersfield, its nearest town.

The eastern bays of the south arcade of the nave date from 1180; however, it seems probable that the oldest masonry on the site belongs to an older church from either Colemore or Ropley.