‘Ye
Kyng’s Town of Bradynge’ offers the visitor a fascinating walk through
history, with some ancient houses, public buildings and church.
It nestles between Brading Down
with it’s stunning views and the sea at Bembridge which is just 3 miles
across the tranquil Brading marshes.
It’s
hard to believe now that Brading was a major sea port with trading ships
navigating as far up as the Bugle Inn in the High Street, and just a
stone’s throw from Mulberry Lawn. A
stroll down Quay Lane will take you past the old quay walls where it is
reported that King Charles 1 landed and stayed in Brading the night before
being taken to Carisbrooke Castle to await his execution in London.
A
pleasant afternoon stroll to the south of the town will take you to the
Roman villa, considerably upgraded recently to protect and enhance the
precious mosaics to be seen there.
Nearby
is Moreton Manor with its charming house and beautiful gardens, with an
opportunity to taste the wine produced from the Moreton Manor vineyard.
At
the south end of town is the
bull ring – a huge iron ring set in the ground for the annual bull-baiting
ceremony when the meat was afterwards donated to the town’s poor.
Three
public houses offer the visitor a choice of refreshment: The Wheatsheaf
opposite the bull ring; The Snooty Fox, a lovely old building with an
excellent restaurant; and The Bugle Inn, which is a friendly family pub
offering good food, built in 1314 and which has historical connections with the smuggling that
was rife in this town.
Next
to The Bugle is the Wax Museum, believed to be the oldest dwelling on the
Island, and just across the lane is The Old Town Hall, now a museum and a
set of stocks – interestingly with 5 holes!
The
ancient church is well worth a visit as is a stroll through the churchyard
with it’s beautiful trees. Thence
back into Quay Lane past the old pound where stray animals were rounded up
and a hefty fine paid to have them returned.
At
the end of Quay Lane walkers and bird watchers will be delighted with
Brading Marshes – now mostly owned by RSPB- where the river Yar flows
eastwards to Brading Haven (now known as Bembridge Harbour).
Here can be seen a great variety of birds at different times of year,
including hen harriers, buzzards, peregrines, stonechats, warblers, waders
and migrating geese.
