Let's visit Brading

The ancient town of Brading can be found three miles south of Ryde on the main A3055 road to Sandown.

Dating back to Roman times, this quaint little town, which stands on the River Yar, is undoubtedly one of the oldest on the island. Indeed, the Roman Villa south of the town, together with numerous Roman relics discovered in the immediate area, indicate that it was a very important seaport 2000 years ago. (Although nowadays over 700 acres of marshland lie between the town and the sea.)

Brading High Street

In common with other ancient seaports, Brading has a history of smuggling - and the quaint little flint and brick cottages which line either side of the High Street are testimony to this. Some have small look-out windows and passages that run under the eaves from house to house, and several have unexplained, bricked-up cellars! And The Bugle Inn, which nestles amongst the cottages in the High Street, once overlooked the waterside and no doubt hosted many smugglers' gatherings over the years.

Today, of course, the smugglers are just legends and the local butcher, the baker, the ironmonger, the cobbler and other small shops have sadly gone. However, there is still much to see as you walk from the Norman Parish Church and Old Town Hall at one end of the High Street to the Bull Ring and Tudor Garden at the other.

Close by the Parish Church you cannot fail to see The Old Rectory Mansion, a magnificent Early Tudor timber-framed building.

This is thought to be the oldest house on the island and apparently it was occupied in 1228 by the then Rector of the Parish Church. The oak timbers within the framework of this wonderful building are thought to be over 1000 years old!

Today, the Old Rectory Mansion forms part of The Brading Experience, a popular all-weather tourist attraction which includes wonderful waxwork figures of royal, literary and political characters throughout history who are in some way connected to the island. In addition to the waxwork museum, you will also enjoy Animal World and the more recent World of Wheels which opened in 2005. The site also includes a discount factory outlet store, a gift shop, and cafe.


Opposite The Old Rectory Mansion you will see The Lilliput Antique Doll and Toy Museum. This quaint little building houses over 2,000 exhibits dating from 2000 BC to 1945 AD. You will see examples of collectable dolls, dolls houses, rocking horses, tin plate toys, trains, teddy bears and other soft toys. The Museum is open every day from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm (except Christmas Day). Modest entrance fees apply.

Brading Lilliput Antique Doll and Toy Museum

All in all, there is much to see and lots to do in this ancient little town - no matter what the weather. We hope you enjoy your visit.

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