Brampton Bryan Tourist Information

Brampton Bryan is a small village located on the northern boundary of Herefordshire, near the borders of Shropshire and Wales. The Harley Estate, who have controlled the area since the early 14th Century, owns much of Brampton Bryan, and were preceded by the Mortimer family.

Brampton Bryan has many notable features, including the ruins of Brampton Bryan Castle, St. Barnabas Church (built in 1656) and it's famous Yew Hedge. The current house was built during the Civil War, and is largely eighteenth century.

The village boasts a remarkable history, and is remembered as the site of an action in the English Civil War. On the 26th of April 1643, the parliamentarians attacked Brampton Bryan Castle, but Lady Brilliana Harley and her children defended it, and eventually drove off their attackers. Before the end of the year, however, Lady Brilliana's health had deteriorated, and she died.

The castle being left in the hands of the family doctor Nathaniel Wright and the Royalist forces, it was attacked again at the beginning of the next year. This time, they surrendered, the building slighted and prisoners taken. However, due to her husband's (Robert Harley's) support of the roundheads, following Cromwell's victory he was well rewarded — his compensation for losses suffered amounted to some £13,000 (£1 million + (2006 value).

Today, the village possesses a large bookshop, a small tearoom, as well as several other small businesses, including a crafts shop and a hairdressers.

Description by Sora Livana