Brampton, Norfolk NR10 

This site is best viewed using broadband although we have tried to make it more friendly to dial-up.

This web-site is for the village of Brampton, Norfolk. This site is dedicated to Brampton and has links for both residents and visitors. The intention is to provide information, news and  community based material. Currently the site has no official links to the Parish council or any other body but will, when established fully, be offered to the village. There are regular updates on the news and history pages (the latter currently having a large update). Also the Representatives page has been updated with the details of all councillors after the local elections. All other pages are also updated as need arise. Remember this is your site and it will only work if you, the good people of Brampton, contribute.

Brampton is one of the smallest villages in Norfolk and is almost certainly the smallest of all the places with the same name throughout the world (although there is a possible contender in the USA for that title). The village is located in the valley of the River Bure some 2.5 miles from the market town of Aylsham.

The village sign (above) gives a clue to the fact that the village has a rich history. Archaeological finds go back to the neolithic but the glory days were in Roman times when the site was a bustling industrial centre with maritime links to the rest of the empire. Pottery and metal items were the main items manufactured here. The sign is based on a Roman artefact discovered in the village which can now be seen in Norwich Castle Museum. Excavations in the 1960's & 70's  uncovered a Roman bath house and much evidence of industrial activity. It also identified the location of the port area from where the manufactured items were exported.

The Bure wends it's way through Brampton Common. Photograph copyright Paul Elliston, www.paulandrach.com

We would love to see your photographs of Brampton (then or now) and will publish all of interest with appropriate credit - email them to webmaster@bramptonnorfolk.org,uk 

The River Bure was navigable through Brampton until 1912 when wherries (Norfolk cargo carrying river boats) would transit to the mill at Aylsham. Brampton itself had a staithe (landing place) and at least one wherry was based here. Today the head of navigation is Coltishall from where the Bure forms an important part of the Broads network as it wends its way to Great Yarmouth. 

Today the village is unspoilt and very quiet. Visitors on foot, bike or horseback are very welcome but our narrow lanes and lack of parking makes a visit by car very difficult. There is a limited bus service to Brampton from Aylsham and Wroxham (which has rail links to Norwich). There is also a station at Brampton on the picturesque Bure Valley Railway which is a tourist narrow gauge line. There is a footpath and cycle way alongside this line and for the moderately active a gentle walk along the line from Aylsham to Brampton is a delight. Better still take the train and enjoy the experience. The timetable etc can be found at http://www.bvrw.co.uk/

The village has no shops, cafes or pubs. The nearest are in Buxton or slightly further away in Aylsham.  Anybody visiting the village should be aware of this before arrival. There are a number of footpaths in and around Brampton. One of the favourites is the path that leads to Burgh-next-Aylsham which crosses the Bure by way of the "cradle bridge". The photograph of the cradle bridge below left was taken from the Burgh side. The other picture was taken from the bridge and looks downstream, Brampton is on the right and Burgh the left. This footpath starts (or ends depending on your perspective) in Burgh churchyard.