Welcome to Brampton Bryan
Whether you are part of the community or are just visiting our lovely part of the world, we hope you will find something of interest here; browse our pages about Brampton Bryan church, castle, hedge and village, and find out about local events. Over time this website will become a hub for the community thanks to a grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the primary purpose of which was to fund much needed repairs to the church.
What's New
Interactive Map of Brampton Bryan
People have lived in and around Brampton Bryan for hundreds of years. Almost every building in the village has a story to tell about the lives of those who lived and worked there in the past. Curious? Explore our interactive map!
Click on the hot spots to see photos and drawings, read documents from the past, and even hear memories of days gone by. Have fun finding all the quirky details in the delightful illustration by local artist Katy Alston.
Talk: Brampton Bryan Through Time — the Archaeology of a Landscape
Tim Hoverd, the Archaeological Projects Manager for Herefordshire Archaeology, explains how the village of Brampton Bryan has evolved over thousands of years.
Watch the video to find out more.
Talk: Trowel and Error — The Science of Archaeology
Tim Hoverd, the Archaeological Projects Manager for Herefordshire Archaeology, with another talk on the science behind modern archaeological investigations, and how some of these have been used in Herefordshire and elsewhere.
Watch the video to find out more.
The Siege of Brampton Bryan
This short film explains both the origins of the English Civil War, and how the two sieges of Brampton Bryan, in 1643 and 1644, were conducted by the Royalist troops against the Harley family. The story is told through the memories of a soldier who took part in the fighting, reminiscing after the event.
The battle scenes in the film were re-enacted by the English Civil War Society, who visited the village in 2022.
For more films about the siege of Brampton Bryan, and the history of the church, castle and village, take a wander through this website or see our Forward St Barnabas YouTube channel. We hope to add more films soon.
Talk: A Quiet Estate in the Country? Brampton Bryan Park & Castle
Over recent years, there have been several archaeological investigations into the evolution of the Park at Brampton Bryan, which have shown how it developed over the centuries, and what its economic value was in the past. Tim Hoverd, the Archaeological Projects Manager for Herefordshire Archaeology, gave a fascinating talk about the development of 'this small estate in the country' which revealed the great variety of historic activities which took place in the Park.
Watch the video to find out more.
Film: The Burning of Brampton Bryan
Watch our six minute film about the faith and courage of Lady Brilliana Harley, who stood firm against a siege of Brampton Bryan Castle in the English Civil War 1643. The story is told in her own words, and those of Captain Priamus Davis, a Parliamentarian soldier who helped her defend the Castle in her husband's absence.
Talk: What can the church roof tell us? Tree ring dating at St Barnabas Church
As part of the restoration project at St Barnabas Church, an investigation was made into the timbers of the beautiful roof using a science called dendrochronology. There was a talk at the church explaining how the science works, but also revealing some challenging new facts about the roof itself.
Watch the video to find out more.
Places of Interest
If you're planning a trip to Brampton Bryan, there are also plenty of other places in the local area that you might like to visit. Here are some of our recommendations.
Local Directory
Brampton Bryan is host to a surprising range of small businesses, craftspeople, community groups and event providers. Discover what's available on your doorstep!