QR Code Heritage Research Project
Bramber Castle
FREE to enter, and just 5 minutes walk from the central car park in the picturesque local village of Bramber, Bramber Castle is the ideal spot to take the family on a sunny day.
With its large area of grass around the central motte (mound), people often bring a picnic and just take in the peace and quiet and the views and wander about the romantic ruins of the castle.
The castle evolved from an original 'motte and bailey' type fortification to becomean 'enclosure' type castle in the 12th century, with a stone keep, gatehouse and curtain wall to keep out invaders.
Bramber is no stranger to family outings. During the late 1800s and early 1900s the castle had a tea room and occasionally a fairground with swings, coconut shies and amusements set up in the bailey.
If you look carefully around the castle it is also still possible to see the evidence of Victorian graffiti. In the 1930s the castle even had its own model steam train running around a track next to the moat.
A new QR code quiz has been created, with 15 questions all the family can take part in!
The QR code research project at Bramber Castle
Strategic points during your visit to the castle will feature QR codes,, on posts, on boards and walls. The plan is to site QR codes at key points of visitor interest, which may change from June to August.
QR codes will be featured around the castle site to provide details, photos and video of an overview of the castle, its history and ownership, the gatehouse, Victorian graffiti, central motte, defensive ditch, the 1966 excavations, entertainment at the castle and the 1930s steam train that ran here.
About Bramber Castle
Bramber Castle - Defending the South
A favourite with visitors, Bramber castle has standing ruins and the remains of earthworks, all in a peaceful setting amongst grass lawns and surrounded by a large, imposing defensive ditch.
Bramber castle was built around 1073, after the Battle of Hastings, and occupied from 1075 to about 1450 by founder William de Braose and his descendants. The castle was established as a defensive and administrative centre for the newly established Rape of Bramber (administrative area).
The motte was raised nine metres above the level of the mound using marl quarried from an encircling ditch, 15 to 17 metres wide and up to four metres deep. The ditch defensive enclosure is best preserved on the southern flank of the site, but on the north it has been combined with a very steep natural slope.
The stone gatehouse guards the only entrance on the south side. The motte was abandoned in the 12th century and a larger stone tower keep of three storeys was built over the gatehouse.
Subsequent alterations and rebuilding were carried out in the 14th century. Large scale subsidence saw the castle fall into ruins during the 16th century, much as it appears today.
Help with our QR code research
Our easy online survey takes just 5 minutes!
