Across country, in the roughest and most unfrequented part of Herefordshire, stands the secluded village of Brampton Bryan, a famous place in the times of the Cavaliers and the Round heads, when the ferocity of contending parties laid waste many a lordly park and manor house.
The village of Brampton Brian is quite insignificant, and were it not for its wooded park, and the ruined castle contained within these secluded glades, it would scarcely be worth more than a passing comment. The ruins of Brampton Bryan castle stand in a hollow near the church which is one of those semi-private edifices, situated within parks and chases. They consist of a strong gateway, flanked with drum towers of the 14th century, with at the rear, the broken walls, and decaying windows of the additions made in the Tudor age to this old stronghold of Sir Bryan de Brampton.
Extract from an article about good cycling destinations, 'Cycling' magazine, November 1896